We would like to extend an invitation to all of you to attend a documentary film premiere at the Princeton Environmental Film Festival on Saturday, April 6 at 1:00 PM at the Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ.

This documentary film from Joe DeVito ICS '94, IHS '98 entitled “The Asbestos City” captures the human story of small-town America in Manville, New Jersey throughout and beyond the storm events of Hurricane Ida in 2021. As many of you know, this is a borough in the heart of the state that is in a constant struggle for economic resilience and famous for tragedy, yet it remains strong in its community values, American pride, and cultural history. Joe spent two years chronicling the community of both residents and businesses in Manville, the impacts of flooding there, and its unique history. Manville seems to be cursed with a cyclical inundation of ravaging floods that have continually decimated its Main Street businesses and residential homes for nearly a century. Affluent communities surrounding Manville have overshadowed this area and, like many other small communities, been forgotten and marginalized. As a resident of Manville, Joe has been witness to these issues and felt that this was a story that needed to be told. The more he researched and spoke to current and former residents, the more he found the essential bedrocks of diversity, culture, family, community, and a tragic but hopeful human story. As an educator and filmmaker Joe knew that he had to tell these stories in the fullest possible way. These problems are not unique to Manville. And his goal is to bring awareness and to affect change for more effective storm water management in our region.

There will also be a second screening at the New Hope Film Festival on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:15 PM at the New Hope Arts Center, 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope, PA. Tickets are available Online or at the venue before the show.