The cycle of production and waste behind the Chinese dream
In short: Jessica Kingdon’s documentary captures a nation in motion. By following the flow of goods through various social classes, it reveals how a global pursuit of productivity shapes human lives. It is not just a story about one country, but an exploration of capitalism's universal mechanics.
Directed by Jessica Kingdon, Ascension (2021) serves as a cinematic examination of the 'Chinese dream.' Rather than focusing solely on local politics, the film explores the broader implications of capitalism and how it influences viewers in their own respective countries. The narrative prioritizes the themes of productivity and innovation, tracing the life cycle of goods from creation to consumption and, ultimately, to waste. The documentary explores how these economic forces impact people globally. It specifically highlights the social classes involved in this pursuit. By looking at production cycles, it reveals the underlying mechanics of modern life.
The production was a massive logistical undertaking involving 51 different locations across China. Interestingly, Kingdon’s original vision was to create a trilogy of short films dedicated to these cycles. However, due to funding difficulties for a series, she condensed that narrative into a single feature film. The title itself carries a personal lineage, originating from a poem written by her great-grandfather. This project was originally intended to be a series of three shorter works. Financial hurdles regarding a multi-part series forced the change in format. The film's name is derived from a specific piece of family history.
The film achieved significant critical success upon its release. On 12 June 2021, the production debuted at Tribeca Film Festival, securing both the Albert Maysles Award for Best New Documentary Director and the title of Best Documentary Feature. Its reception has been overwhelmingly positive, holding a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 49 critics and an 84 out of 100 score on Metacritic, signaling universal acclaim for its portrayal of modern industrial life. The movie premiered in Europe on September 26, 2021, at the Zurich Film Festival. It was released by MTV Documentary Films in October. Critics gave it an average rating of 7.90 out of 10.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Ascension (film)
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