Moviegoers have been down the road many times of the horror Hitler carried out during WWII, but only a few films were about the terror that reigned in other Eastern European countries by Stalin and the Soviet Union. Ashes in the Snow is a powerful and heartbreaking story that portrays the brutal crimes committed against Lithuanians and how families were torn apart and deported to Siberia.
Synopsis:Based on the internationally best-selling novel Between Shades of Gray, in 1941, sixteen-year-old Lina is preparing for art school, first dates, and all that summer has to offer. But one night, the Soviet secret police barge violently into her home, deporting her along with her mother and younger brother. They are being sent to Siberia. Lina’s father has been separated from the family and sentenced to death in a prison camp. All is lost. Lina fights for her life, fearless, vowing that if she survives she will honor her family, and the thousands like hers, by documenting their experience in her art and writing. She risks everything to use her art as messages, hoping they will make their way to her father’s prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, and it is only their incredible strength, love, and hope that pull Lina and her family through each day. But will love be enough to keep them alive?
Throughout the film the incredible directing and editing along with the powerful music, striking settings, stellar acting and structurally well written story will keep the audience engrossed from start to finish. In the beginning when we meet Lina, she’s a typical girl living a good life with a loving family. When her family is sent to Siberia and separated, Lina has to fight to survive. Her struggles and battles develop her into a strong determined girl, yet still compassionate. London born actress Bel Powley perfectly plays the lead role of Lina and is best known for her role of Minnie in The Diary of a Teenage Girl, where she was nominated and won best actress awards at numerous festivals and award ceremonies.
Powley is joined by the talented cast consisting of Lisa Loven Kongsli (Force Majeure, Wonder Woman, Justice League), Martin Wallstrom (Simple Simon, Mr. Robot TV series) Jonah Hauer-King (The Last Photograph, Blue, Regardez), Sophie Cookson (Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Kingsman: The Secret Service, The Huntsman: Winter’s War), and Peter Franzen (The Gunman, Ambush, History Channel’s Vikings).
This World War II drama was produced by Radiant Films International. President/CEO of Radiant, Mimi Steinbauer was intrigued by the story and lead the efforts to get the film made. Steinbauer is well respected in the film industry as over her career she has played a key role in obtaining funding and distribution for over 500 films including the blockbusters, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Machete, Blue Valentine, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hurt Locker, The Matrix, Three Kings, and The Notebook. Ashes in the Snow was particularly appealing to Steinbauer due to the story having a lead female character that beats the odds and is a strong, determined woman that will inspire the audience.
Radiant Films Steinbauer brought on a cast and crew that would bring their vision to life including award winning Director Marius Markevicius. Markevicius directed Ashes in the Snow and is one of the producers. He also directed and produced the multi nominated documentary The Other Team, about the 1992 Lithuanian basketball team, whose athletes struggled under Soviet rule, became symbols of Lithuania’s independence movement, and – with help from the Grateful Dead – triumphed at the Barcelona Olympics.
After a successful theatrical release in nearly a dozen cities, Ashes in the Snow is now available on Amazon and iTunes. For more information visit Radiant Films International website.
http:// radiant-films.com/ashes-in-the-snow
