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Ascension

Released Oct 8, 2021 1h 38m Documentary List
98% Tomatometer 49 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
An impressionistic exploration of the pursuit of wealth and the paradox of progress in the People's Republic of China, Ascension examines what living the so-called "Chinese Dream" looks like today.
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Ascension

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Critics Consensus

Ascension's patiently observational approach pulls back the curtain on consumerism and economic inequality in modern China.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Debruge Variety No matter what your image of modern China, it’s nowhere near complete until you’ve seen it through New York-based, China-observing director Jessica Kingdon’s eyes. Mar 28, 2022 Full Review Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) The film is full of news, insights and revelations without pushing a dogmatic thesis: it's as open-ended and humanly interested as documentaries get. Rated: 5/5 Jan 13, 2022 Full Review Danny Leigh Financial Times Crucially, the film never patronises. Is anyone learning anything westerners haven't learned too, just less explicitly? Rated: 4/5 Jan 13, 2022 Full Review Josh Parham Next Best Picture The analysis is rich but more respected on an intellectual level instead of one that is genuinely moving, particularly as there isn't a natural flow to the pacing here. Rated: 7/10 Jun 5, 2022 Full Review Sean P. Means The Movie Cricket An eye-popping mosaic portrait of a nation on the move, though unsure of what exactly its moving toward. Rated: 3.5/4 Apr 17, 2022 Full Review Tim Brayton Alternate Ending An extraordinarily confident feature-length debut. Rated: 4/5 Mar 31, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (18) audience reviews
Yang S 非常典型的新左翼知识分子视角,通过大量异质、疏离的影像,试图形成对于"被资本主义侵蚀的中国"的一种观察。可惜的是这种冷眼旁观的视角终究只能为观众提供"悲悯的俯视"和"不屑的仰视",更为复杂且模糊的平视、自视被导演有意无意地忽略掉了。不过这些电视新闻以外的记录镜头,对于中国人和外国人来说终归都是有益的。 Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review dee k Nothing can describe the scope, beauty and realism of this documentary. I've watched this under the influence and sober. It's just amazing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/01/22 Full Review dave d I loved this immersive portrait of Chinese culture and the idea of the "Chinese Dream" as is so rarely displayed. Jessica Kingdon's documentary feature breaks down the supply chain, how workers are recruited, and what people do in what little spare time they have. It is fascinating. China comes off as a technologically advanced country with early 20th Century values which is not a good thing. If you are in any way intellectually curious about a land that has plans to take our the world economy this should be immediately placed on top of your watchlist. Final Score: 9.4/10 Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Ethan T A beautiful and chilling documentary that shows the cycle of innovation and progress within China, Loved the combination of cinematography and music, and the observational approach allows the audience to soak every image in and pull meaning from it rather than having it given to us. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/18/22 Full Review Audience Member Seems almost everything has already been said. But seriously; am I the only one here who has ever seen and remembers Koyannisqatsi? Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/26/22 Full Review Audience Member I liked the "inside look" at a range of jobs and relative lifestyles…all that is not available to outside visitors. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Ascension

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Movie Info

Synopsis An impressionistic exploration of the pursuit of wealth and the paradox of progress in the People's Republic of China, Ascension examines what living the so-called "Chinese Dream" looks like today.
Director
Jessica Kingdon
Producer
Jessica Kingdon, Kira Simon-Kennedy, Nathan Truesdell
Distributor
MTV Documentary Films
Production Co
Mouth Numbing Spicy Crab, XTR
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Chinese
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 8, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 15, 2021
Runtime
1h 38m
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