Ice

Ice

Year: 2017

Runtime: 15 mins

Language: Estonian

Director: Anna Hints

Drama

Harri, a lieutenant colonel in the Estonian army and divorced, struggles to connect with his ten-year-old son, only seeing him during school breaks. Hoping to strengthen their bond, he plans an adventurous winter trip to a remote island. When they miss the last ferry, Harri makes a risky decision to cross the frozen sea via a precarious ice road, leading them into an unexpected and potentially dangerous situation.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Ice (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Ice (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The timeline spans many years, tracking Nadya from childhood to becoming a top skater and through a severe setback. The events unfold in a modern era, with contemporary training methods and high-stakes national and international competition. The story emphasizes the personal and professional upheavals that come with elite sport and a long comeback.

Location

Irkutsk, Moscow

Irkutsk is Nadya's hometown and the starting point of her dream. The narrative later shifts to Moscow, the capital, where major national competitions unfold and where Nadya seeks to prove herself. A boarding school within a local sports palace anchors her training environment, shaping her early development.

❄️ Winter setting 🏙️ City 🏟️ Sports facilities

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:59

Main Characters – Ice (2017)

Meet the key characters of Ice (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Nadya Lapshina

A humble girl from Irkutsk who dreams of figure skating. She overcomes initial coordination problems, endures sabotage and a devastating injury, and makes a dramatic comeback with the support of her coach and a key ally. Her perseverance fuels both her skills and her emotional growth as she reunites with a partner for a final, triumphant performance.

❄️ Figure skater 💪 Resilience 🧠 Mental strength

Irina Shatalina

A famed children's coach who initially rejects Nadya, then becomes a mother-figure and driving force behind her rise. She believes in Nadya's potential and pushes her toward the big leagues, even as she risks personal heartbreak for Nadya's development. Her mentorship shapes Nadya's discipline and emotional resilience.

🎯 Coach 🩹 Mentor 💗 Maternal figure

Vladimir Borisovich 'Vova' Leonov

A famous skater who starts as Nadya's partner and rival. He exudes confidence and ambition, but becomes harsh and dismissive when confronted with Nadya's comeback. His arc reveals the strain between fame, ego, and genuine collaboration.

🏁 Rival 💔 Ego 🧭 Ambition

Sasha Gorin

A local hockey striker who becomes Nadya's rehabilitation partner and a catalyst for her physical and emotional recovery. He uses tough love, humor, and empathy to help her walk again and rediscover her passion for skating. Their evolving bond culminates in a shared on-ice performance and mutual confession.

🧰 Healer 💪 Motivator ❤️ Romance

Margosha

Nadya's loving aunt who supports her as she can while running a banana stand. She provides stability and care, even if she does not share Nadya's mother's belief in her potential. Her support grounds Nadya during tough times.

🍌 Banana seller 🏠 Family ties 💡 Perseverance

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:59

Major Themes – Ice (2017)

Explore the central themes of Ice (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💪 Resilience

Nadya's journey is defined by grit and the refusal to give up, even when she faces coordination problems, sabotage, and a life-altering injury. The film highlights the power of steady training, mental strength, and perseverance to reclaim a dream. It shows how setbacks can be catalysts for a deeper commitment to one's craft. Ultimately, resilience turns vulnerability into a defining strength.

🤝 Mentorship

A supportive mentor-pupil dynamic drives Nadya's transformation. Irina Shatalina pushes her to test boundaries while treating her with a maternal care that fuels belief in her potential. Sasha Gorin also provides tough guidance and a path back to the ice, balancing discipline with empathy. The interplay of mentorship helps Nadya regain confidence and skills.

💖 Love and Trust

The evolving relationship with Sasha becomes a core emotional thread, evolving from friction to trust and mutual care. Nadya and Sasha's duet on the ice delivers a cathartic moment that binds them beyond competition. The story uses romance and friendship to explore vulnerability, honesty, and teamwork. In the end, love supports Nadya's comeback as both a partner and collaborator.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:59

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Father-son bonding stories like in Ice

Stories where a shared adventure helps a parent and child reconnect.If you enjoyed the father-son journey in Ice, you'll appreciate these movies about parents and children reconnecting through shared adventures. These films explore themes of responsibility, vulnerability, and the quiet moments that rebuild broken bonds.

heartfeltresilienthopefulintrospectiveemotional healingperseverance

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with emotional distance between a parent and child, often due to divorce, work, or past mistakes. A planned trip or challenge throws them together, forcing cooperation and revealing character. The climax is not an external victory, but the internal breakthrough of mutual understanding and renewed connection.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their central focus on repairing familial bonds through action rather than words, blending medium emotional weight with a hopeful, steady pace. The atmosphere is often introspective and resilient, set against evocative natural backdrops.

Calculated survival movies similar to Ice

Stories where characters must rely on careful planning and resilience to survive nature's challenges.For viewers who liked the tense ice road crossing in Ice, this list features movies about survival against natural elements. These stories emphasize careful choices, resilience, and the mental strength required to overcome a hostile environment.

tenseperseverancepainstakingresilientsurvivalinspiringmethodical

Narrative Summary

The plot hinges on a critical, risky decision made in a remote natural setting. The story unfolds methodically, showcasing the step-by-step challenges and consequences of that choice. Conflict is primarily against the environment, with success depending on competence, patience, and emotional control rather than brute force.

Why These Movies?

They share a specific vibe of medium-tension survival built on a steady pace. The experience is defined by a palpable sense of risk, a focus on practical problem-solving, and an inspiring undercurrent of human resilience against imposing natural forces.

Unlock the Full Story of Ice

Don't stop at just watching — explore Ice in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Ice is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Ice Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Ice, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Ice Summary

Ice Timeline

Track the full timeline of Ice with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Ice Timeline

Ice Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Ice that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Ice Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Ice

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Ice: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Ice