Frozen River (2008)
A raw, award-nominated crime drama about two women pushed to the edge by poverty, survival, and the frozen border between nations.
Frozen River - Movie Information
- Original Title: Frozen River
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: Courtney Hunt
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Crime
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 37m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, French, Urdu, Mandarin
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 5, 2008 (United States - R), July 17, 2009 (United Kingdom - 15), January 7, 2009 (France - U), February 19, 2009 (Australia - MA15+), February 20, 2009 (Brazil - 12), November 7, 2008 (Mexico), March 13, 2009 (Italy - VM14), September 4, 2009 (Spain - 12)
- Alternative Titles: Rio Congelado (BR)
- Production Companies: Harwood Hunt Productions, Cohen Media Group
- Production Countries: United States of America
Frozen River - Plot
After her husband deserts her, working-class mother Ray Eddy is in great need of money to find a home. Lured by the possibility of easy cash, she joins Lila, a widowed Mohawk who earns a living by smuggling immigrants from Canada to the U.S. across the St. Lawrence.
Frozen River - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of Frozen River unfold across the ice.
Desperation Knows No Borders
Where to Watch Frozen River
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Frozen River - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Courtney Hunt
Main Cast
- Melissa Leo
- Misty Upham
- Charlie McDermott
- John Canoe
- Jay Klaitz
- Dylan Carusona
- James Reilly
- Michael O'Keefe
- Mark Boone Junior
- Betty Ouyang
Writers
- Courtney Hunt
Producers
- Heather Rae
- Chip Hourihan
Frozen River - FAQs
Is Frozen River based on a true story?
Frozen River is not based on a single true story, but writer-director Courtney Hunt drew inspiration from real events and documented cases of human smuggling across the frozen St. Lawrence River on the Akwesasne Mohawk reservation straddling the U.S.-Canada border.
Where can you stream Frozen River online?
Frozen River is available to stream for free with ads on Tubi TV and YouTube Free. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Check JustWatch for the most current availability in your region.
Did Melissa Leo win an Oscar for Frozen River?
Melissa Leo received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role as Ray Eddy in Frozen River, one of the most celebrated performances of her career. Though she did not win that year, the nomination significantly raised her profile and she later won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for The Fighter in 2011.
Who are the main actors in Frozen River?
Frozen River stars Melissa Leo as Ray Eddy, a struggling single mother, and Misty Upham as Lila Littlewolf, a widowed Mohawk woman. The supporting cast includes Charlie McDermott, Michael O'Keefe, Mark Boone Junior, Jay Klaitz, and John Canoe.
What is Frozen River about?
Frozen River follows Ray Eddy, a desperate working-class mother in upstate New York, who partners with Lila Littlewolf, a Mohawk woman, to smuggle undocumented immigrants across the frozen St. Lawrence River from Canada. The film explores poverty, survival, and moral compromise against a harsh winter backdrop.
What is the age rating for Frozen River?
Frozen River is rated R in the United States. The film contains mature themes including illegal immigration, human smuggling, and scenes of peril and desperation. It is rated 15 in the United Kingdom, MA15+ in Australia, VM14 in Italy, and 12 in France, Brazil, and Spain.
Who directed Frozen River and wrote the screenplay?
Frozen River was both written and directed by Courtney Hunt. It was her feature film debut, expanding from a short film she had previously made. The project earned Hunt an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, alongside Melissa Leo's acting nomination.
How long is the film Frozen River?
Frozen River has a runtime of 97 minutes, approximately one hour and 37 minutes. The film was released in the United States on September 5, 2008, with subsequent international releases throughout 2009 in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Brazil, Italy, and Spain.
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