Frozen River

Set in the harsh winter landscape of upstate New York, this gripping drama follows Ray Eddy, played by Melissa Leo, as she struggles to provide for her family after her husband abandons them. Desperate for money, Ray teams up with a Mohawk woman, Lila Littlewolf, to smuggle illegal immigrants across the frozen St. Lawrence River. The film, directed by Courtney Hunt, explores themes of poverty, desperation, and the moral complexities of survival. Melissa Leo’s powerful performance earned her an Academy Award nomination, and the film won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. For those interested, it can be viewed for free on Soap2day.