From the brilliant mind of writer/director, Anthony Chen, 'Shattered Frost' spins a tale of three individuals lost in a frost-bound world. Set against the backdrop of China and North Korea's bitter winter, this drama perfectly encapsulates the beauty of snow-filled landscapes and the emotional frosts of dislocation and estrangement.
The narrative commences with an ethereal image of people carving bricks from ice, instantly immersing its viewers into the frosty terrain. Not long after, we encounter Li Haofeng, portrayed by Haoran Liu, attended a wedding reception. His detachment stands out as he chooses to stay aloof from others, suggesting a bitter undercurrent within him.
As Nana, played by Dongyu Zhou, guides a bus of Chinese tourists through the expat Korean community near the Changbai Mountains, Haofeng finds himself unexpectedly caught up in the tour the following day. Despite joining them, he maintains his distant demeanor.
Conducting the tourists to indulge in facets of the Korean culture, Nana introduces them to Han Xiao (Chuxiao Qu) at his workplace, a local restaurant. Adding a bitter note to Haofeng's journey, he loses his all-important phone, also serving as his digital wallet. Nana convinces Han to meet, drawing Haofeng into their circle. In case of a missed flight back home, a tentative bond forms among the trio, leading to shared moments of dance, dares, and a trek across the breathtaking snowy landscapes to witness Heaven Lake.
The characters are not alone in their unfamiliar terrains. Chen, a Singaporean, mirrors the dislocation of his characters as he navigates through a foreign country. Haofeng, Nana, and Han are escaping from residual memories and expectations back home, landing in a state of uncertainty instead. “I’ve been away for so long I am not even sure where home is,” laments Nana, capturing their mutual feeling of despair.
As Chen takes inspiration from French New Wave cinema, threads of 'Bande à part' and 'Jules and Jim' become discernible in his storytelling. Despite their aimlessness, Chen crafts the narrative with keen attention to details.
Past regrets continue to haunt Nana, Han, and Haofeng, despite their efforts to escape them. They realize their failed attempts to outrun their past, as symbolized by incessant signals-ignored therapy calls, uncomfortable encounters with former teammates, and aspirations of a young nephew. In an evocative scene, Haofeng, who once used to chew on ice cubes, is found passing one between the three, the icy drop doubling for tears that held too long.
While some elements might seem overly emphasized-like their visit to the zoo or Haofeng's malfunctioning, luxurious watch-the overall poetic imagery maintains the lyrical rhythm. By the time Nana transforms from a guide to a tourist herself, unable to witness the coveted Heaven Lake due to a weather change, viewers become the characters, sharing in their revived hopes.
