THE RIVER is a poignant exploration of family, addiction, and cultural legacy, set against the backdrop of the Gila River Indian Reservation. The story follows three generations of basket makers from the O’otham tribe: Rocky, struggling with problem gambling, her auntie, Nan, and Rocky’s teenage daughter, Maya, who is being raised by Auntie Nan.

The film opens with Auntie Nan and Maya gathering materials from the river for basketmaking, symbolizing the continuity of tradition. Meanwhile, Rocky attempts to sell a basket to a buyer in an empty parking lot, revealing her struggles with her past. As the story unfolds, Rocky wins a significant sum of money at a casino but faces rejection from her family due to her gambling relapse. Maya is awakened from a nightmare seeing her mother drowned in the river. Rocky’s return home to reconnect with Maya and Nan highlights the fragile bonds strained by addiction as she cannot overcome her problem with gambling.

The story culminates with Maya embracing her cultural heritage as she performs a traditional basket dance, symbolizing the enduring strength of their family and traditions. THE RIVER is a story about redemption, resilience, and the ties that bind us to our heritage and each other.