Frozen River

In upstate New York, near the Canadian border, Ray Eddy is a struggling single mother whose husband has just gambled away their savings for a new double-wide trailer. Desperate to provide a better life for her two sons, she reluctantly teams up with Lila, a Mohawk woman from the nearby reservation, to smuggle illegal immigrants across the frozen St. Lawrence River. Their dangerous work forces them to confront the harsh realities of poverty, prejudice, and their own moral compromises.

Frozen River was widely acclaimed by critics for its raw, authentic portrayal of poverty and desperation, its strong performances, and its unflinching look at social issues. It was praised as a powerful and moving independent film that resonated with audiences for its humanism and its bleak yet hopeful narrative.

• Praised for its gritty realism and authentic depiction of marginalized communities.
• Lauded for the powerful, Oscar-nominated performance by Melissa Leo.
• Applauded for its compelling narrative about survival and motherhood in challenging circumstances.

Google audience: Audiences were deeply moved by the film's honest portrayal of hardship and the lengths to which people will go to protect their families. Many highlighted the strong performances and the film's ability to evoke empathy.

Academy Award Nomination for Best Actress (Melissa Leo), 2009; Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic, Sundance Film Festival, 2008; Special Jury Prize for Acting (Melissa Leo and Misty Upham), Sundance Film Festival, 2008.

Director Courtney Hunt was inspired to write the screenplay after reading a newspaper article about Mohawk women smuggling people across the frozen St. Lawrence River.