SIFF Movie Club: The Ascent
November 5, 2025
Shepitko’s emotionally overwhelming final film won the Golden Bear at the 1977 Berlin Film Festival and has been hailed around the world as the finest Soviet film of its decade. Set during World War II's darkest days, The Ascent follows the path of two peasant soldiers, cut off from their troop, who trudge through the snowy backwoods of Belarus seeking refuge among villagers. Their harrowing trek leads them on a journey of betrayal, heroism, and ultimate transcendence. Introduced by SIFF Cinema Staff Member Adam Plesser.
Tickets
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Wednesday, November 5, 2025
- Director: Larisa Shepitko
- Principal Cast: Boris Plotnikov, Vladimir Gostyukhin, Sergey Yakovlev, Lyudmila Polyakova
- Country: Soviet Union
- Year: 1977
- Running Time: 109 min.
- Screenplay: Yuri Klepikov, Larisa Shepitko
- Cinematographers: Vladimir Chukhnov, Pavel Lebeshev
- Editors: Valeriya Belova
- Music: Alfred Schnittke
- Language: Russian, German
- Has Subtitles: Yes