Review of Cold November (2018) by David R — 25 Apr 2018

Cold November is a sober yet joyful look at Florence, a young woman, coming of age. Set in matriarchal family of hunters she manages to come to grips with her place in the structures of finitude, family, and the food chain.

There's a brief terror the moment you realize you are born to suffer and die. Cold November dares us to return to the shock of that moment by inviting us into the unique life of Florence, a 12 year old waking to adulthood. The power of the film lies in this - the sensitive nuance of this brief moment in one adolescent's life, carries such depth and authenticity, the art of cleaning a deer becomes a dare to face your own end.

Adults live in a disenchanted world, aware we are in the process of becoming worm food. At some point our naiveté understanding of the world dies and we left with the challenge to truly life before we die. In Cold November you meet three generations of matriarchs in the middle passing down the keys to living, all the while their veracity is up for grabs. This story of trauma, family, shame, and breakthrough should not be missed.