Ascension

Ascension
7.098%60%
The absorbingly cinematic Ascension explores the pursuit of the "Chinese Dream." This observational documentary presents a contemporary vision of China that prioritizes productivity and innovation above all.
Kevin Ward reviewedJuly 14, 2025
A beautifully framed documentary offering brief but unflinching glimpses of the realization of the “Chinese Dream”. It’s mesmerizing to watch, akin to the “How it’s made” (I think that’s what they’re called) teledocs. Beautiful and colorful imagery of raw creation ascends and transforms into pure consumerism. No commentary is interjected at any point, from the viewers perspective at least. It’s quite different from most documentaries in that manner and likely won’t be for everyone for that reason. While there is a certain purity retained, I think it could have been a more compelling watch if it had a clearer “voice”.