Directed by: Larisa Shepitko
The crowning triumph of a career cut tragically short, The Ascent is Larisa Shepitko’s final film and winner of the Golden Bear at the 1977 Berlin Film Festival. In the bleakest days of World War II, two partisans trek across the blizzard-swept landscape of Nazi-occupied Belarus in search of supplies for their beleaguered unit.
When they are captured by German forces and confronted with the prospect of death, each man must choose between martyrdom and betrayal, in a spiritual ordeal that lifts the story from raw wartime drama to the realm of religious allegory. With stark, visceral cinematography that pits blinding white snow against pitch-black despair, The Ascent finds poetry and transcendence amid the harrowing trials of war.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
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New 4K Digital Restoration |
New 4K digital restoration of The Ascent, presented with an uncompressed monaural soundtrack for maximum image and audio fidelity. |
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Selected-Scene Commentary |
New selected-scene audio commentary featuring film scholar Daniel Bird, offering analysis of key moments, themes, and visual choices. |
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Video Introduction by Anton Klimov |
New video introduction by Anton Klimov, son of Larisa Shepitko and filmmaker Elem Klimov, reflecting on Shepitko’s life and legacy. |
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Interview with Lyudmila Polyakova |
New interview with actor Lyudmila Polyakova discussing her role in the film and working with Shepitko. |
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The Homeland of Electricity (1967) |
A 1967 short film by Larisa Shepitko, included as a companion piece to The Ascent. |
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Larisa (1980) |
A 1980 short film tribute to Larisa Shepitko directed by Elem Klimov, her husband, honoring her life and work. |
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Documentaries on Shepitko |
Two documentaries from 2012 exploring Shepitko’s life, body of work, and relationship with Elem Klimov. |
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1999 Program with Shepitko Interview |
A 1999 program featuring a rare interview with Larisa Shepitko, offering firsthand insight into her artistic vision. |
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New English Subtitle Translation |
Updated English subtitle translation for improved accuracy and nuance. |
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Booklet Essay |
Printed essay by poet Fanny Howe, providing a literary and spiritual reading of the film. |