Andrew Haigh Adapts Colm Tóibín’s ‘A Long Winter’ in the Colorado Rockies
According to Variety, writer-director Andrew Haigh has adapted Colm Tóibín’s novella A Long Winter, relocating the story from the Spanish Pyrenees to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. The coming-of-age drama explores grief, resilience, and queer self-discovery within a 1950s Americana setting. The film stars Fred Hechinger, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, bringing a slow-burn introspection to the screen.
Plot Dynamics and Family Turmoil in the Mountains
As reported by Variety, the central character is Mike, played by Fred Hechinger, who returns to his family’s high-mountain cabin after a brief trial living elsewhere. His younger brother Tommy, played by Kit Connor, enlists in the Army and ships out to Korea. Meanwhile, their depressed mother Louise, portrayed by Caitríona Balfe, struggles with heavy drinking and isolation enforced by her husband Lester, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach. When Lester destroys Louise’s hidden wine supply, she vanishes into the snowbound wilderness just as a major winter storm approaches.
Did you know? While the film’s narrative takes place in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Variety notes that production was shot on location in the Canadian Rockies.
Search Efforts and Character Dynamics
According to Variety, local residents, state troopers, and family members—including Louise’s brother Jack, played by Martin Freeman, and family friend Joe, played by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo—form a search party as power and phone lines fail. Amid the dread, Mike experiences unspoken sexual tension with a young cop played by Anthony Timpano and harbors homoerotic fantasies. Later, Lester hires a mixed-race orphan named Jimmy, played by D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, as a live-in domestic. After initial friction, Mike defends Jimmy against Lester, sparking a solidarity that changes the household dynamic.
Cinematic Style and Production Details
Variety reports that the film features 35mm cinematography by André Turpin, capturing the stark landscapes of the region. Emmanuel Fréchette designed the rustic, built-from-scratch cabin, while former Tangerine Dream member Paul Haslinger provided the pensive score. Running at 1 hour and 59 minutes, the film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed ‘A Long Winter’?
According to Variety, the film is written and directed by Andrew Haigh.
What source material is the film based on?
Variety notes that the film is based on a novella by Colm Tóibín, which was first published in the 2006 short story collection Mothers and Sons.
Who stars in the film?
The cast features Fred Hechinger, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Caitríona Balfe, Kit Connor, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, according to Variety.
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