MyMetaStories presents: Mira, in her early 20s, escapes from the pressure of running her family’s vineyard by playing ice hockey. When new player Theresa joins the team, she challenges Mira’s rigid worldview, leading to life-changing nights on the streets of Vienna. In her first feature film, director Clara Stem takes a sensitive and nuanced approach to paint a sober, powerful portrait of women’s sport, skilfully combining ice hockey and a queer person’s search for identity. With playful ease, she combines ice hockey and the search for queer identity. Supported by dynamic staging and the authenticity of the ice hockey setting, the film is both accessible and inspiring. BREAKING THE ICE celebrated its world premiere in 2022 at the renowned Tribeca Film Festival in New York, where it was recognized as one of the strongest European contributions. Further stops included the Zurich Film Festival, the Viennale, and the International Women's Film Festival Dortmund+Cologne. There, the film won the Youth Jury Award and the Fritz Raff Screenplay Award for its outstanding script. These accolades underscore the artistic and social significance of the work, which combines athletic intensity with intimate character development.
MyMetaStories 2025: Mira's conservative lifestyle is challenged when a new player joins her ice hockey team.
MyMetaStories presents: Mira, in her early 20s, escapes from the pressure of running her family’s vineyard by playing ice hockey. When new player Theresa joins the team, she challenges Mira’s rigid worldview, leading to life-changing nights on the streets of Vienna.
In her first feature film, director Clara Stem takes a sensitive and nuanced approach to paint a sober, powerful portrait of women’s sport, skilfully combining ice hockey and a queer person’s search for identity. With playful ease, she combines ice hockey and the search for queer identity. Supported by dynamic staging and the authenticity of the ice hockey setting, the film is both accessible and inspiring.
BREAKING THE ICE celebrated its world premiere in 2022 at the renowned Tribeca Film Festival in New York, where it was recognized as one of the strongest European contributions. Further stops included the Zurich Film Festival, the Viennale, and the International Women's Film Festival Dortmund+Cologne. There, the film won the Youth Jury Award and the Fritz Raff Screenplay Award for its outstanding script. These accolades underscore the artistic and social significance of the work, which combines athletic intensity with intimate character development.