How I Ended This Summer

Alexei Popogrebsky  |  124 min  |  Russia  |  2010  |  Drama  |  15

A secret threatens to destroy a fragile trust between two men working together at tiny weather station in the Arctic. How I Ended This Summer is a tense, beautifully shot drama about isolation, fear, and what happens when a small lie grows out of control.

The film follows Sergei, an experienced meteorologist, and Pavel, his younger assistant, as they spend the summer recording data at a remote outpost in the Russian Arctic. When Pavel receives a devastating radio message meant for Sergei, he hesitates to tell him, and that moment of silence slowly escalates into suspicion, tension, and an emotional standoff set against the vast, brutal landscape.

Directed by Alexei Popogrebsky, How I Ended This Summer is the perfect example of the director’s signature style: unhurried pacing, long takes, and a focus on minimalist narratives that explore human relationships against vast, changing landscapes. These landscapes often act as symbolic or metaphoric reflections of the characters’ internal journeys, adding layers of tension and meanings to the story. The film premiered at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Bear for Best Actor for both leads, recognizing their subtle, powerful performances. Perfect for fans of Meek’s Cutoff and The Lighthouse.

In Russian with English Subtitles

Doors: 7.45pm

Screening: 8.00pm