Film Lens
Asymptomatic Carrier, directed by Frank Heath, presents a visual journey over North Brother Island, located in the East River. The film captures the island's current state as an abandoned site, which has transformed into a bird sanctuary. The documentary notes that the island was once home to one of the largest nesting colonies of Black-crowned Night Heron from the 1980s until the early 2000s. However, by 2011, this species had mysteriously abandoned the island, leaving its future uncertain.
The film was created for the 2003 Frieze Arts Fair NYC and runs for 15 minutes. It combines a unique visual perspective with a narrative that reflects on the island's ecological changes and its history. The use of a prank telephone call as a keyword suggests an element of humor or absurdity intertwined with the serious themes of abandonment and ecological shifts.
Why Watch
- •See North Brother Island's abandoned landscape
- •Find out why Black-crowned Night Heron left the island
- •Watch a unique visual perspective on ecological change
Did You Know
•North Brother Island is now a bird sanctuary and off-limits to the public.
•The island supported one of the largest nesting colonies of Black-crowned Night Heron from the 1980s to early 2000s.
•By 2011, Black-crowned Night Heron abandoned the island for unknown reasons.
•The film was created for the 2003 Frieze Arts Fair NYC.
Perfect For
Urban explorationBirdwatching enthusiastsDocumentary fans