Elevation

Set in the Carpathian Mountains, this documentary follows Vasyl, a former ski jumper who now coaches children at a local sports school. A solitary man who views athletics as his entire world, Vasyl spends five years dedicating his energy to his favorite student, Zhenya, hoping her success as a champion will fulfill his own dreams. However, as Zhenya grows older, her motivations shift and she chooses to pursue a path outside of sports, specifically acting. This decision leaves Vasyl questioning the purpose of his work, though he eventually finds the resolve to move forward.

The film was directed and written by Max Rudenko, who also served as a producer alongside Viktoria Slopitska. A joint production between France and Ukraine, the project was supported by Paramax Films and the Ukrainian State Film Agency. Released on June 1, 2024, the documentary has a runtime of 90 minutes.