During the Soviet Era of Stagnation, strong-willed film student Larisa Shepitko marries fellow director Elem Klimov. As they pursue their passion for filmmaking, they confront state censorship, intense physical and mental strain, and personal tragedy.

SYNOPSIS:

This is a biopic about the life of Larisa Shepitko, a Ukrainian-Soviet filmmaker. Known for her strong will and incredible directorial skill, Shepitko's life was nonetheless beset by difficulty. After falling extremely ill on the set of her first film, 'Heat' (1963), she meets film student Elem Klimov, who helps her finalize her movie. They marry the following year. Shepitko's following films 'Wings' (1966) and 'You and Me' (1971), have parts censored by the Soviet government, sending Shepitko into a depression that is exacerbated by severe physical injuries and the life-threatening birth of her first child. However, Shepitko is now more determined than ever to make her mark on cinema and produces 'The Ascent' (1977) after much difficulty. The Soviet censors are so moved by the powerful war drama that it is released entirely undoctored. Shepitko is a huge success, and Klimov, still struggling to get any of his projects financed by the film board, begins to grow jealous. However, tragedy strikes when Shepitko is suddenly killed in a 1979 car crash. Klimov attempts to memorialize his wife's life and career while making peace with her passing. In doing so, he produced 'Come and See' (1985), which is considered one of the greatest films ever made and one in which his wife's cinematic influences are palpable.