North Brother (2008)

North Brother is an urban exploration adventure combined with a raft trip, set in New York City. The explorers paddle to North Brother Island, a small island in the East River that has been abandoned for over 50 years. The island, technically off limits and reachable only by water, requires passing through Hell Gate, the dangerous confluence of the Harlem River, the East River and Long Island Sound. The documentary includes detailed historical background on the island, chronicling it's most famous resident, Typhoid Mary, as well as the sinking of the General Slocum, New York City's worst maritime loss of life disaster. As the explorers paddle downstream from the Bronx to Brooklyn, they meditate on the rewards of seeking adventure outside of traditional boundaries.