(Sat 3rd, Sun 4th Sept / 8pm / £5/4)
(Alexei Popogrebski / 124 minutes / Russia / Russian / 2010 / cert. 12A)
A powerful and visually stunning psychological drama, How I Ended Last Summer tells the story of two men stationed in a meteorological research station in the bleak Arctic landscape of Chukotka in Northern Russia.

Sergei is a middle-aged man and a seasoned professional, whose very nature seems to be shaped by the harsh conditions that surround him. Pavel on the other hand is a callow and playful twentysomething, whose frivolous attitude is a constant irritation to his colleague. The tension between the men is clear from the outset, but things take a sinister turn when Pavel receives an important radio message, which he finds difficult to relay to Sergei. Alone in the wilderness, anything can happen as suspicion and lies take over...

This superbly acted thriller is genuine nail biting stuff, with striking cinematography that helps create a deeply atmospheric and memorable film.