UCM.ONE will release the award-winning feature film “Flieg Steil” (international title: Ascend), directed by Martina Schöne-Radunski and Lana Cooper, in theaters across Germany on Thursday, August 6, 2026, through its distribution label Darling Berlin. The film marks the label’s 51st release. Booking and billing will be handled by CAMINO Filmverleih (Stuttgart). This is the second collaboration between Darling Berlin / UCM.ONE and CAMINO. National press relations will be managed by FELIX NEUNZERLING PR (Berlin).
Ahead of the theatrical release, a Berlin premiere will take place on August 4 at Kino in der Kulturbrauerei Berlin, attended by both directors as well as members of the cast and crew. A preview screening will follow on August 5 at Studiokino Magdeburg, followed by a Q&A with the directors.
Theatrical Release: Theatrical release: August 6, 2026, in German theaters.
“Ascend” tells the story of two outsiders from the far-right and far-left scenes whose search for identity and belonging leads to an explosive encounter. The dramatic satire portrays two characters who manipulate each other and ultimately fail because of their own contradictions. Through a satirical lens, the film examines the mechanisms by which the desire to belong can turn into extremism.
Konnie (28), who is well-respected in Berlin’s Nazi scene, is seeing her standing among her comrades dwindle more and more: Ever since Konnie began incorporating her ultra-feminist, sex-positive, body-positive, and queer views into her music—and vehemently defending them—the far-right scene has had no use for her. Andi, in particular—the outspoken bar owner of the Friedrichshain Stahlkappen Division—has it in for her. When Konnie meets Punk Rudi, who, in a fatalistic solo mission, wants to blow up Konnie’s Nazi bar, she finds in him the perfect pawn to win back the favor of her right-wing comrades. Rudi (38), who has alienated all his friends with his unpredictable, aggressive behavior and has become an outsider even within his own punk clique, is also looking for a way to reconnect with his buddies. Which of the two will be left standing in the end?
Seine Weltpremiere feierte “Flieg Steil” beim 31. Internationalen Filmfest Oldenburg, wo er mit dem German Independence Award für „Originality, Daring, Audacity“ ausgezeichnet wurde. Beim 21. achtung berlin festival lief der Film in der offiziellen Selektion.
Theatrical Release Premiere
“Ascend” had its world premiere at the 31st Oldenburg International Film Festival, where it received the German Independence Award for “Originality, Daring, Audacity.” The film was also featured in the official selection of the 21st achtung berlin film festival.
On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., Studiokino Magdeburg will present a preview screening followed by a Q&A with director Martina Schöne-Radunski. Beginning August 6, “Ascend” will screen there as part of the theater’s regular program.
Premiere, Previews, and Show Dates for Week 1
★ THEATRICAL RELEASE PREMIERE (Last updated: July 28, 2026, 4:21 p.m.)
| Tue, Aug 4, 8:00 p.m. | Berlin – Kino in der Kulturbrauerei | Followed by a Q&A · Tickets |
★ PREVIEWS & SPECIAL SCREENINGS (Last updated: July 28, 2026, 4:21 p.m.)
| Wed, Aug 5, 7:30 p.m. | Magdeburg – Studiokino | Followed by a Q&A · Tickets |
OPENING WEEK – Beginning August 6, 2026 (Last updated: July 28, 2026, 4:21 p.m.)
| GERMANY | ||
| Berlin | Tilsiter Lichtspiele | OV · Tickets |
| Berlin | Sputnik (am Südstern) | German with English subtitles · Tickets |
| Dresden | Zentralkino | OV · Tickets |
| Düsseldorf | Metropol (Filmkunstkinos) | OV · Tickets |
| Freiburg | Friedrichsbau | OV · Tickets |
| Hamburg | Studio-Kino | OV · Tickets |
| Kornwestheim | Capitol (Lichtspiele) | OV · Tickets |
| Leipzig | Luru-Kino (Spinnerei) | OV · Tickets |
| Magdeburg | Studio(kino) | OV · Tickets |
| Munich | Werkstattkino | OV · Tickets |
| Stuttgart | EM (Innenstadtkinos) | OV · Tickets |
Regularly updated screening dates are available here: ucm.one/en/ascend
Crew and Cast
Written and directed by: Martina Schöne-Radunski, Lana Cooper
Producers: Martina Schöne-Radunski, Joachim Keil, Robert Zimmermann, Charlotte Roche (Associate Producer), Oliver Jerke (Executive Producer), Ayla Sophia Franken (Producer)
Director of Photography: Manuel Ruge
Editor: Monika Parii
Music: David Hantelius, Jan Blumentrath
Production Companies: UCMP GmbH, Ultimaratiofilm GbR
Country of Production / Year: Germany / 2024
Runtime: 86 min. Rating: FSK 16 (approved for public holiday screenings) Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 Language: German with English subtitles
Cast: Ceci Chuh (Konnie), Alexander Merbeth (Rudi), Andreas Anke (Andy), Tom Lass (Cervezito), Cora Mainz (Franzi), Rosario Bona (Heinrich), Lana Cooper (Sandra), Katharina Behrens (Maja); also featuring Naomi Achternbuch, Heiko Pinkowski, Antonio Wannek, Peter Marty, Hendrik Heutmann, Ivonne Schwarz, Bodo Goldbeck, Milton Welsh, Jakob Lass, Florian Denk, Christin Nichols, Martina Schöne-Radunski, and many others.
What People Are Saying About the Movie
“A kick in the face of comfortable certainties. A stress test for the feel-good world.
FLIEG STEIL is a film about contradictions and friendship in a minefield.”
— Charlotte Roche, Associate Producer
“FLIEG STEIL is uncompromisingly eccentric, nonconformist underground cinema that refuses to draw a clear line between good and evil. […]
The result is a challenging and raw, yet equally bold and lasting underground drama for adventurous arthouse audiences.”
— Björn Schneider, programmkino.de
Press Contact
FELIX NEUNZERLING PR
Contact: Felix Neunzerling
Tel.: +49 30 30 61 22 30
E-Mail: felix@neunzerling-pr.de
Sales and Distribution
Sales: CAMINO Filmverleih GmbH
Herdweg 27, 70174 Stuttgart
Kontakt: Tobias Scholz
Tel.: +49 711 162 21 18 19
E-Mail: tobias.scholz@camino-film.com
More information about the film: Ascend (German title: Flieg Steil)
More information about the film label: Darling Berlin
