A Binghamton University senior cited the death of his mother, the help of his coworkers and his experience as an IBM employee as inspiration for his final thesis project.

Nick Bongiorno presented part of his documentary “Juggernaut” at the ARTS Mission Theater in Binghamton last Wednesday. Bongiorno, a senior, created the film as his final thesis project.

The documentary focuses on the toxic spills which took place decades ago at an IBM plant in Endicott, and the physical and spiritual effects its had on the local community.

More than 100,000 gallons of toxic chemicals, including the carcinogen trichloroethylene, seeped into the soil surrounding the plant. The rate of cancer in exposed residents is up to three times higher than the national average, according to the IBM Employees’ Union.

Bongiorno began working full time operating machines at the IBM plant to support himself while he finished his degree part time. Last year Bongiorno took a documentary production class and decided to focus his project on IBM.

“It became kind of an ironic situation because a lot of the guys that worked with me at IBM started helping me with my film project,” Bongiorno said.

Since the beginning of the project Bongiorno has worked closely with community groups like the Western Broome Environmental Stakeholders Coalition and the IBM Alliance to obtain interviews and statistics.

Bongiorno entered the project with personal interests as well. His mother recently died from cancer after working in the IBM plant associated with the chemical spills for years.

“It’s been difficult, but I think it’s a really unique and helpful piece of information for the community,” Bongiorno said.

Bongiorno’s documentary is not yet complete, and he expects to work on it for at least one to two more years. He has recently been granted a stipend through the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program to continue filming and researching this summer. The McNair program offers academic and financial support to students from disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree.

Although IBM has given no official comment on the documentary thus far, Bongiorno has decided to officially resign from his position at the plant.

“Trying to balance work and school was excruciating, I’m looking forward to giving my full energy to filming for a while,” he said.

James Little, a Binghamton resident who has worked with the IBM alliance, attended the screening.

“The audience had a lot of positive feedback, I’m confident it could win an award once completed,” he said.

Bongiorno recalled a memorable moment during a question and answer session after the viewing when people in IBM suits came out on stage, pretending to sweep up the floor around him.

“It’s a documentary, but there’s some theatrical stuff too, I’m trying to have some fun with it,” Bongiorno said.