Ascension

This is a visually stunning documentary about the ideology used in China to acquire acquiescence from the lower class workers in the factories, restaurants, resorts, etc who are sold a dream of one day being able to join the elite classes if they work hard enough. Almost mesmerizing with its cinematography, akin to the dreams of consumerism and the narratives of wealth that are being sold to the underclass workers, the film nicely illustrates the Chinese economy of the present: the same old drudgery and toil simply with a bright and shiny demeanor. I very much enjoyed the first time director's attention to detail and storytelling style and I'm excited to see the films that follow.

Ascension - 2021 (Documentary) 2.5 out of 5 stars

What does a rave at a water park, flyboarding, lipstick advertised by the military, a job you get to sit at, and life-sized "dolls" have to do with each other? That's what I'm left wondering after watching the Oscar-nominated documentary "Ascension."

The plot synopsis reads, "The film follows the Chinese dream through the social classes, prioritizing productivity and innovation." that may sound a bit harsh, but I didn't dislike the film for what it's worth. It was a unique look at a world that I had never seen like this before. I had my eyes opened at just how different countries handle capitalism. China is still one of the largest industrialized nations in the world, and this dives into how that title is held.

The most interesting aspect for me was the "How It's Made" style, many scenes simply just showing workers laboring away at their posts. Watching repetitive tasks being done for hours on end was pretty intense. I know that there are assembly-line jobs in the US, but this seemed different. I take for granted some of the things that I just think a machine makes. I'm sure some of the tasks could be automated, but why bother with that when you can pay slave wages to humans. My apologies if that was stern, but so many jobs like this are overlooked and considered "unimportant," that is, until someone is no longer willing to do them.

Capitalism is a terrible thing when it's left unchecked; I don't think this was the entire purpose of this film, but it is one of the things that I took from it. There was an interesting subplot to the film that showed the ranking system in China, just how different two people's lives can be all because of their "social class." I don't pretend to fully understand their society, their prioritizing of industry, or how life works, but this was a look into that world that I hadn't seen before.

Where to watch: Paramount +

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Was it intriguing to anyone else how luxurious this document looked? Especially as the film in part strongly wishes to state that everything that glitters is not twitter gold.

The film is from 2021 (and footage before) so the tale likely has changed somewhat. Certainly the world has, but there is a core here that does not change over time and over borders/oceans.

There was an Economist Podcast on President Xi I listened to a while back. Granted anything that fits in a short review or even a multi-part podcast trying to describe China will wind up too narrow, however one message from that recalled the old English sententia : a rising tide floats all boats.

That if Xi could spread enough financial success across many classes/divides, some other freedoms and concerns could be overlooked. That seems to wash up here as well, from the aquariums to the wine tasting to the water parks to the technicolor jellyfish. Shot sure lingered on them.

Is that us, consumers consumed by capitalistic tides?

I've seen other reviewers ask how is it possible that Kingdon got such access. First China is not North Korea (although they surely keep that crazy empire afloat). Also is this film pretty damning on the ventures of capitalism. Am I right Young Pioneers? Heard about this via my son's documentary film class at UCSC, and suspect it was met with resounding applause.

The film shows more than it says, which is good for me. Some of the influencer/butler dreaming of a better way are so sad to see for me. Granted my level of desperation and delusion may be intertwined and fortunately low.

Yes I've been to meetings where people want me to chant along to some slogan, and all of my energy goes to not rolling my eyes. And I never think I will be kicked to the ground and have to do push-ups.

But if you really believe such denigration is a (the only?) way up and out, well maybe you would show the right number of teeth, and slap your co-worker as hard as possible.

Clearly the camera is not a candid spy here. People are very aware of its presence. Painfully so at times. Thus I'm hesitant to paint with too broad a brush. People may have more dignity than fits in high-definition clips.

The movie moves with force, and Dan Deacon's soundtrack certainly helps. Turn it off at times and watch, it's quite a different experience. My son and his class are going to watch Koyaanisqatsi too. The films while different share a sort of vibe and approach, dare I say Deacon's soundtrack is more expansive than Glass's?

Some of the drone shots made me think that while an eagle can see a lot from so high, it cannot eat.

Anyways, I will seek out other films from Kingdon, and finish her Tribeca Q&A bonus on this disc, I had to pause that to not have it tell me what I thought about the movie. Thought reform comes in many ways and waves.

Two long shot connections.

First, watching the water park and some other dense scenes eerily reminded me of "Mad God." Which if you want an over-the-top look at mass mulch mankind merchandising, and in often gruesome stop-animation no less, you might want to check out.

Secondly, at times I found myself thinking about the Westworld HBO series. Well, the first season or two, in part due to the effectiveness in Deacon's score. It makes me sad actually, as I need to believe in a little dignity for all people, on all parts of the globe.

My last thought in watching the people on character throwing themselves so into their dream/duties, is that China may not just out-number the USA, but beat us at some of our dangerous delusions.

And yes, I know the USA has long fed its excesses off of China, from container ships and fentanyl caravans. I hope the USA does not return that dubious favor.

A glimpse into a dystopian nightmare. It's also ironic how similar their situation is similar to that of America's, and sad that people cannot even comprehend it.

Documentary nominated for the Oscar 2022 directed by Jessica Kingdon, an American of Chinese origin.

The film differs from many recent documentaries in that it doesn't have those interviews with people sitting there looking at the camera, nor does it have a narrator to drive the story. The director's camera only observes, sometimes from afar, sometimes up close, the daily lives of workers in the poignant Chinese economy.

In the name of productivity, anything goes, especially the exploitation of workers. It is almost incomprehensible to me to see a recruitment of workers by major Chinese industries stating that the work can be done sitting down or that no health examination is required to enter. Others shout that the work is done 100% standing, demand maximum height of the worker, that workers will sleep in rooms with up to eight people in the same room, or hear that whoever decides if the duration the worker worked that day is their boss.

Perhaps because of her origins, in the end, the director tries to glamorize the toughness she showed, putting on the screen moments of relaxation of hundreds of Chinese in a water park, as if she wanted to convey the message: "work without limits pays".

As there are almost no lines, and when there are, they are dialogues between the workers, with long scenes, the documentary gets monotonous from the middle.

Anyway, it was valid to know the reality of Chinese workers.