Watch First Winter

First Winter is an indie drama that balances the weight of its themes with a meditative aesthetic. It is directed by Benjamin Dickinson and stars Lindsay Burdge, Colm O'Leary, and Tom Lipinski. The movie follows a group of young hipsters that are staying in a farmhouse in upstate New York. They are trying to get back to nature and live off the land, away from the chaos of the city. However, a freak snowstorm traps them in the house without power, heat, or communication with the outside world. As they run out of food and desperation sets in, their idyllic utopia turns into a survival nightmare.

The opening shot is a mesmerizing long take that captures the vastness of nature and the fragility of humanity. It sets the stage for the philosophical questions that the movie will explore, like what it means to be self-sufficient, how we cope with isolation, and the limits of our communal bonds. The characters are not given extensive backgrounds or arc, but they are portrayed with authenticity and nuance. They eat, drink, smoke, dance, and argue, but their interactions have a sense of organicness that elevates them from mere caricatures. The standout performance is Lindsay Burdge as Lily, who exudes a delicate vulnerability that makes her breakdowns all the more heartbreaking.

The cinematography by Adam Newport-Berra is exceptional. He shoots the natural landscapes with an eye for grandeur, framing the mountains, the trees, and the sky with a painterly touch. He also uses handheld cameras to create a documentarian style that gives the impression of being a fly on the wall. The snow, which is a character in itself, is captured with vividness that conveys both its coldness and its beauty. The sound design by Ernst Karel complements the visuals with a foley work that adds texture and depth to the environment. The creaking of the wood, the rustling of the wind, the crackling of the fire, all contribute to the immersive experience of the movie.

The movie is not flawless, however. Its pacing is deliberate, which may test the patience of some viewers. Its dialogue is scarce, with long stretches of silence that may seem too austere. Its themes are not groundbreaking, as they have been explored by other movies before. Its ending may be too open-ended for some, as it leaves the fate of the characters unresolved. However, these are minor quibbles compared to the overall power of the movie.

First Winter is an ode to nature, a critique of modernity, and a reminder of our primal instincts. It is a movie that invites contemplation, that provokes introspection, and that humanizes its characters despite their flaws. It is a movie that embraces the unknown, that challenges our expectations, and that rewards our patience. It is a movie that deserves to be seen, experienced, and felt.

First Winter is a 1981 documentary with a runtime of 26 minutes.