To avoid potential confusion with 50 Shades of Gray, many alternative titles were considered to replace the original title, "Between Shades of Gray". Screenwriter Ben York Jones came up with Ashes in the Snow, for its similarity in cadence, and its narrative significance.
Deportation scenes involved more than 700 extras, including people who have been actually deported to Siberia.
"Ashes in the Snow" is the #1 highest box-office grossing film of all-time in Lithuania, the country where the story and production took place, beating out such mega studio titles as "Avatar" and "50 Shades of Grey".
Based on the book by Ruta Sepetys.
The film is dedicated to all those who suffered as a result of the Soviet Deportation to Siberia. Your courage and sacrifice will be eternally remembered.