Frozen River takes place in the days before Christmas near a little-known border crossing on the Mohawk reservation between USA and Canada. Here, the lure of fast money from smuggling presents a daily challenge to single moms who would otherwise be earning minimum wage. Two women- one white, one Mohawk, both single mothers faced with desperate circumstances- are drawn into the world of border smuggling across the frozen water of the St. Lawrence River.
Frozen River is the feature debut of director Courtney Hunt, hailed and praised by among others Quentin Tarantino at the Sundance Film Festival 2008. It’s a film about today’s USA and about those living on the margins. The film features a fantastic cast with Melissa Leo (21 Grams, TV-series "Homicide: Life on the Street") as Ray, Misty Upham (Edge of America, Skins) as Lila, and Oscar nominee Michael O'Keefe (The Great Santini, Caddyshack, Ironweed) as a New York State Trooper. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival 2008 and the SIGNIS Award as well as the Silver Shell for Best Actress at the San Sebastian Film Festival 2008.
“It took my breath away… A wonderful depiction of America” Quentin Tarantino
“Heartfelt portrait of working-class Americans” The Hollywood Reporter
Genre: Drama
Director: Courtney Hunt
Country of Origin: USA
Screenplay: Courtney Hunt
Cast: Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, Mark Boone Junior
Cinematography: Reed Morano
Producer: Heather Rae, Chip Hourian
DVD release: 2009-05-06