What Is First Winter About?
The premise of First Winter in 264 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet isolation of a remote farmhouse, a tight‑knit circle of modern Brooklynites seeks refuge from the relentless pulse of city life. Drawn together by a shared love of yoga, organic cooking, and the heady freedom of un‑filtered creativity, they settle into a rhythm of sensual indulgence—sex, drugs, and meditative practice that feels like an extended exhale from the urban grind. The house, nestled amid snow‑blanketed fields, becomes a sanctuary where each sunrise promises a day unburdened by deadlines, and the long nights are lit by candle‑glow and conversation.
When an unprecedented winter descends, the retreat is plunged into a stark blackout that robs the sanctuary of heat, electricity, and the constant hum of modern comforts. The sudden removal of these lifelines presses the group into a raw confrontation with the elements, turning the farmhouse’s warm interior into a fragile shell against the feral cold outside. As supplies dwindle and the relentless wind howls, the once‑gentle flow of daily rituals begins to fray, exposing the delicate balance between communal harmony and individual yearning.
Against this austere backdrop, the film’s tone oscillates between lyrical serenity and simmering unease, capturing both the beauty of the stark landscape and the inner turbulence it provokes. The characters, each carrying their own unspoken hopes and insecurities, are forced to navigate shifting dynamics—jealousy, desire, and the instinct to survive—that ripple beneath the surface of their shared experience. In this delicate dance between vulnerability and resilience, First Winter invites the audience to contemplate how far the human spirit can stretch when stripped of the familiar comforts that once defined it.
What Happens in First Winter?
The complete story of First Winter, from the first scene to the last, in 169 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
When winter arrives, a group of modern Brooklynites finds peace in their secluded country farmhouse, engaging in a lifestyle filled with sex, drugs, yoga, and organic cooking. They relish their escape from the demanding urban life, basking in a state of tranquility. However, chaos ensues when an unprecedented blackout occurs, leaving them without heat or electricity during one of the harshest winters recorded. This abrupt disruption sends anxiety rippling through their once harmonious commune, putting their idyllic existence to the test.
As the days drag on and their food supplies shrink, power struggles, jealousy, and desires arise, jeopardizing their capacity to work together for survival. In this compelling debut feature, filmmaker Benjamin Dickinson delves into the core of human instincts, highlighting how resilience and beliefs are pushed to the brink. The characters’ nuanced and authentic performances intensify with escalating emotions, while the beautifully rendered landscapes hint that the poetic universe of First Winter resides in a surreal time and place, perhaps closer to our reality than we might think.
First Winter Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Arrival at the Farmhouse” to “Looking to the Future”. Every event takes place in Country Farmhouse.
- 1
Arrival at the Farmhouse
The group of modern Brooklynites arrives at their secluded country farmhouse to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life. They set up their cozy retreat, surrounded by nature, ready to embrace a new lifestyle filled with peace and relaxation.
When:Winter Where:Country Farmhouse
- 2
Embracing the Lifestyle
The inhabitants engage in a lifestyle of sex, drugs, yoga, and organic cooking that represents their desire for freedom from societal norms. This enjoyable period allows them to connect deeply with themselves and each other, further strengthening their bond.
Where:Country Farmhouse
- 3
The Blackout Strikes
An unexpected blackout sweeps through their idyllic retreat, leaving them without electricity or heat during one of the harshest winters on record. The sudden loss of comfort creates tension among the group, throwing their peaceful existence into turmoil.
When:Winter Where:Country Farmhouse
- 4
Rising Anxiety
As the days pass without power, anxiety begins to spread among the group members. They realize that their comfortable lifestyle is at risk, raising questions about their ability to survive together in such challenging conditions.
Where:Country Farmhouse
- 5
Food Supplies Dwindle
With no electricity, the group faces dwindling food supplies as they struggle to find ways to stay nourished. The looming threat of hunger adds to their mounting frustrations and pushes them to reconsider their choices.
Where:Country Farmhouse
- 6
Power Struggles Emerge
The stress of their situation leads to power struggles within the group, revealing deeper conflicts and personal ambitions. Individuals begin to assert control, igniting tensions that threaten to fracture their community.
Where:Country Farmhouse
- 7
Jealousy and Desires Unleashed
As their idyllic existence crumbles, jealousy and suppressed desires come to the forefront. The once harmonious commune becomes a battleground of emotions, as relationships strain under the pressure of survival.
Where:Country Farmhouse
- 8
Testing Resilience
The group must confront their own resilience and the strength of their beliefs. As they navigate the challenges, they discover the limits of their solidarity and the depths of their fears and hopes.
Where:Country Farmhouse
- 9
Friction Among Friends
Old friends turn into rivals as the chaos of survival sets in, manipulating the dynamics of their relationships. Each person’s instincts trigger raw emotions that reveal hidden truths about themselves and each other.
Where:Country Farmhouse
- 10
Facing the Harsh Reality
The harsh reality of their situation forces the group to confront what they truly want from life. This moment of reckoning provokes deep reflections that might alter the course of their relationships and their understanding of one another.
Where:Country Farmhouse
Show the other 4 events of First Winter Hide the last 4 events
- 11
The Nature Around Them
The beautifully rendered landscapes serve as both a backdrop and a character in their story. The serene environment contrasts sharply with the emotional turmoil among the group, emphasizing the surreal, poetic quality of their plight.
Where:Country Farmhouse
- 12
The Final Stand
As their final resources dwindle, the group must take a stand, making difficult decisions on how to move forward. Bonds are tested, and some relationships come to a breaking point, leading to significant transformations.
Where:Country Farmhouse
- 13
Embracing Change
In the aftermath of the chaos, the characters emerge forever changed, carrying the scars of their experiences. They learn to embrace change and uncertainty, leading them to redefine their connections and what it means to be part of a community.
Where:Country Farmhouse
- 14
Looking to the Future
The survivors embark on a new journey, contemplating their lives after the chaos. They reflect on their personal growth and the lessons learned, as the harsh winter begins to thaw, ushering in a new chapter.
When:Post-Winter Where:Country Farmhouse
Where and When Is First Winter Set?
First Winter is set in Brooklyn and secluded country farmhouse (Harsh Winter). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Harsh Winter
The film takes place during one of the harshest winters recorded, which amplifies the protagonists' struggles and anxiety. This time period is characterized by severe weather conditions that serve as a backdrop for the unfolding drama. Not only does the winter highlight the challenges of survival, but it also symbolizes the coldness and isolation that seep into the group's relationships.
Where
Brooklyn, secluded country farmhouse
The movie is set in the contrasting environments of urban Brooklyn and a secluded country farmhouse. Brooklyn represents the bustling, modern lifestyle filled with demands, while the farmhouse offers a peaceful retreat into nature. This stark difference sets the stage for the characters' transition from city life to a simpler existence, only to face unforeseen challenges.
- 🏙️ Urban
- 🏡 Countryside
What Are the Themes of First Winter?
2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Chaos and Disruption and Human Instincts.
-
01
Chaos and Disruption
The unexpected blackout represents a significant theme, illustrating how quickly peace can turn into chaos. When the group loses their heat and electricity, the anxiety sets in, disrupting their idyllic lifestyle. The film examines how such disruptions can reveal the vulnerabilities and primal instincts of individuals in a communal setting.
-
02
Human Instincts
The story delves deeply into human instincts and the underlying emotions that surface in times of crisis. Themes such as power struggles, jealousy, and desires emerge, showcasing how people can shift from harmony to hostility when their survival is threatened. The film thoughtfully explores these nuances within the characters' interactions.
What Kind of Film Is First Winter?
Tense in tone, with slow pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
A tense and slow-burning survival drama that charts the anxious disintegration of an idyllic commune under extreme duress, creating a raw and claustrophobic atmosphere of desperation.
- anxious
- claustrophobic
- desperate
- somber
- unsettling
- isolated
- survival
- human instincts
- societal collapse
- power struggles
Content notes: drug use, starvation, nudity, sexual content.
Quiz
How well do you remember First Winter? Test yourself on the story.
