Chapter 1: The Precursors: From The Angel Was a Devil to Frozen Days
Frozen Days: The Israeli Tenant
The true harbinger of New Israeli Horror was Frozen Days (2005), by first-time filmmaker Danny Lerner. It is a dark psychological thriller with elements of horror, shot in black and white in the style of film noir. Frozen Days is set in foreboding urban spaces: back alleys and empty apartments, where we follow a mysterious young woman named Meow. The film’s lighting and editing make everything look like a nightmare. Indeed, Meow’s life turns into one, after she is caught in a terrorist bombing outside a nightclub and loses touch with reality.
Questions for discussion
- Which elements of the horror genre can you identify in Frozen Days?
- What characterizes Frozen Days as an Israeli film? You may think of the plot, themes, or settings.
- In what way is Frozen Days a precursor of New Israeli Horror? You can think of its production as well as the film itself.
- What was its audience and critical reception?
Availability
DVD is available for sale at Amazon