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The Ascent (15*) + Introduction by writer Vlad Strukov

Her Lens, His Story

,Barbican Cinema 3
Two Russian soldiers walk through snowy woods in The Ascent

Larisa Shepitko’s final film is a masterly war movie following two very different soldiers during the Great Patriotic War. 

Larisa Shepitko’s film, an extraordinary depiction of the horrors of war, set in German-occupied Belorussia, begins as a fight for survival. Two soldiers (Boris Plotnikov and Vladimir Gostyukhin, both excellent) search for food, while dodging enemy fire in the snowy forests. In the second half, Shepitko explores masculinity in times of crisis, as one soldier becomes increasingly martyr-like when faced with death, while the other scrambles for his life.

The roles of men in wartime are examined in critiqued subtly throughout, with Shepitko refusing to judge either man as their behaviour towards the end becomes more extreme. She also elicits a chilling performance from Tarkovsky regular Anatoly Solonitsyn as a terrifying collaborationist interrogator. 

Tagged with: Cinema F-rated Masculinities More...

1977 Soviet Union Dir Larisa Shepitko 111 min Digital presentation

Winner of Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival 1977

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Barbican Cinema 3

Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue. 

Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.