Andrew Haigh on How His Father’s Death Shaped New Film ‘A Long Winter’

Andrew Haigh, the English filmmaker, didn't realize that his latest film "A Long Winter" was actually a reflection of his own grief until after it was completed. His father passed away shortly after the release of his previous film, "All of Us Strangers." Haigh explained to TheWrap's Casey Loving at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival that he now views "A Long Winter" as a conversation with himself about that loss.

He had been aspiring to make this film for around 20 years. The storyline of "A Long Winter" is based on a short story by Colm Tóibín, but it relocates the action from Spain to the American West during the 1950s. The film stars Fred Hechinger as Mike, a young man whose family disintegrates after his mother vanishes in a snowstorm.

Other notable cast members include Caitríona Balfe, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Kit Connor. Haigh admitted that after the success of "All of Us Strangers," he found it challenging to determine what to create next. However, he had been wanting to make "A Long Winter" for a long time and could not precisely explain why it felt like the right moment.

Tóibín had invited Haigh to the Pyrenees years ago, and the two spent time discussing life in general before Haigh received permission to adapt the story. There was a point during production when the team had to rush to shoot in winter conditions, but the schedule couldn't be delayed because the weather wouldn't cooperate. Hechinger praised Haigh for making the decision to push the shooting by a year, noting that Haigh created a supportive environment where they could explore the scenes without judgment and delve deeper into the characters' lives.