Cold November

On the cusp of womanhood, 12-year-old Florence goes on her first deer hunt, a traditional rite-of-passage in her matriarchal family. Deep in the wilderness of rural middle America, 12-year-old Florence is eager to undergo the rite-of-passage of her first deer hunt. A tradition passed down through many generations of women in her family, the act of killing a deer symbolizes the transition into adulthood. As Florence is taught how to shoot a gun and skin a deer, she gains a deeper understanding of life and death. When Florence finds herself alone during a hunt, however, expectations dissolve into chaos as she must rely on her instinct and training to follow through with her decisions, pull herself together, and face becoming an adult. DIRECTOR KARL JACOB ABOUT HIS FILM: At age twelve, I went on my first deer hunt with my family and faced the fatal decision of taking the life of a creature bigger than myself. It wasn’t until much later that I realized how important that moment was, as the act of the death experience is an essential rite-of-passage in many cultures throughout the world. In revealing the timeless mythology embodied by this modern American rite of passage, and in the hunting and mourning experiences of a girl who is becoming a woman, I hope to spark thought about how facing mortality is a fundamental and confronting part of what it means to be human. I also hope to challenge the stereotype that the hunting ritual is an inherently male practice. I grew up in a similar situation to Florence, where my mother, aunts, and grandmother played a huge part in my life and had also gone through this hunting experience as young women. Having them as a resource in developing the character of Florence has brought a unique female perspective to this story.