WORCESTER—When first-time screenwriter Jake Miskin sat down to write “Shattered Ice,” he wasn’t aiming to make a sports movie. He wanted to write about grief, friendship and the quiet ways people learn to survive it. Hockey just happened to be the language of his hometown.
The film, which Miskin produced and veteran director Alex Ranarivelo directed, premieres Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Worcester Palladium. It follows a high school hockey player navigating life in a small New England town after his best friend dies by suicide.
“I wanted to tell a raw, authentic New England story that communities can relate to and spark conversations,” Miskin said.
Although fictional, “Shattered Ice” draws heavily from Miskin’s own experiences losing classmates during his formative years. The movie uses hockey as a backdrop to explore the culture of toughness that often keeps young men from talking about pain. “Filmmaking is my way to normalize and destigmatize the conversations of mental health,” he said.
The project has already picked up awards across the festival circuit and caught the attention of several local partners, including the Worcester Railers, the Reliant Foundation and Rucker Investments.
“Partnering with a passionate writer and producer like Jake and helping bring this film to life has been incredibly meaningful,” said Jennifer Barys, CFO at Rucker Investments. “We’re so impressed by the traction it’s already gained and the numerous recognitions it has earned.”
After the screening, Reliant Foundation hosts a panel discussion featuring guests from the film, the Worcester Railers, and members of the mental health community. Miskin said the panel is as important as the movie itself.
“We are excited about our social impact campaign,” he said. “Not only to show our award-winning film to a brand new audience, but to also bring together different powerful voices from the Worcester community to continuously spark the conversation.”
Miskin, founder of Nehoiden Street Films in Needham, said premiering Shattered Ice in Worcester feels like a full-circle moment. “It feels incredible and surreal getting my first screenplay and producing my first feature film,” he said. “But bringing it to communities across Massachusetts and playing it at the historic Worcester Palladium just brings my level of excitement to a whole new level.”
Tickets for the event are $20.
Caroline Lacy is an English student at Worcester State University, exploring journalism and storytelling, with a focus on culture and human-interest stories. She can be reached at clacy@worcester.edu.
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