“Ascend” continues its festival tour at the 21st achtung berlin film festival in 2025
“Ascend” (German original title: “Flieg Steil“) the provocative feature film debut by Martina Schöne-Radunski and Lana Cooper, continues its successful festival tour at the 21st achtung berlin film festival (abff) 2025. UCM.ONE distributes the satirical drama starring Ceci Chuh, Alexander Merbeth and Tom Lass in the leading roles as the 51st film of its film label Darling Berlin.
At this year’s achtung berlin festival, the most important showcase for young German film from Berlin-Brandenburg, which takes place this year from April 2 to 9, 2025, the film will be shown as part of the special series BERLIN SPOTLIGHTS and the abff’s English Days.
The film is thus continuing its successful festival tour: “Ascend” celebrated its German premiere in the competition of the 31st Oldenburg International Film Festival 2024 on September 12, 2024, where it won the GERMAN INDEPENDENCE AWARD 2024 for originality, daring and boldness.
Jury statement from the 31st Oldenburg Film Festival:
“If you try to please everyone, you won’t please anyone. This film doesn’t aim to please anyone. The courageous filmmakers fearlessly venture into dangerous political territory and address current issues in a raw and untamed way.Surprising, challenging, provocative – uncompromising underground cinema.”
This award recognizes the creative and courageous approach of the filmmakers who address socially relevant topics in an unconventional way in ‘Flieg Steil’.
The film “Ascend” will be shown at the achung berlin film festival on the following days and at the following cinemas:
• Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 9:30 p.m. at the Lichtblick Kino (abff EnglishDays).
• Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. at the Babylon Cinema, Hall 1,
• Monday, April 7, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at IL KINO.
Tickets for the screenings can be purchased on the site of the film festival.
The film “Flieg Steil” (English title: “Ascend”) by Martina Schöne-Radunski and Lana Cooper tells the story of two outsiders who meet in their search for identity and belonging.
Konnie, a formerly respected musician in Berlin’s neo-Nazi scene, loses her reputation when she integrates feminist and queer elements into her music and publicly defends these views. This leads to conflicts with her fellow right-wing extremists, especially with Andi, the owner of a Nazi bar and leader of the group.
At the same time, Rudi, a disillusioned punk, is planning an attack on the same bar to make a name for himself in the punk scene. When Konnie and Rudi meet, they exploit each other for their respective goals, which leads to a destructive duel.
The film highlights the contradictions of extremist ideologies and shows how the protagonists are trapped between self-hatred and the desire for recognition.
More info about the movie: Ascend
More information about the film label: Darling Berlin
