Ascension () is a 2021 American documentary film directed and produced by Jessica Kingdon. It follows the pursuit of the Chinese dream through the social classes, prioritizing productivity and innovation.
The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12, 2021, where it won Best Documentary Feature. It was released on October 8, 2021, by MTV Documentary Films.
Synopsis The film follows the Chinese dream through the social classes, prioritizing productivity and innovation.
Production Initially, Jessica Kingdon planned on making a trilogy of short films focusing on the cycle of production, consumption and waste, however, it was difficult to secure funding for a series, and instead decided to develop the trilogy into a feature film. Kingdon wanted to make a film about capitalism and how it affects viewers in their own countries, and did not want to specifically single out China. Production on the film took place in 51 locations throughout China. The title of the film originates from a poem written by Jessica Kingdon's great-grandfather.
Release The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12, 2021, where it won Best Documentary Feature and the Albert Maysles Award for Best New Documentary Director. On September 26, 2021, the film had its European premiere at the Zurich Film Festival, where it was entered in the competition for best documentary film.
In August 2021, it was announced MTV Documentary Films had acquired distribution rights to the film, and set it for an October 8, 2021, release.
Reception Critical reception Ascension received positive reviews from film critics. On Rotten Tomatoes it has a 98% approval rating based on reviews from 49 critics, with an average rating of 7.90/10. On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 84 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".
Accolades Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) ResultAcademy Awards March 27, 2022 Best Documentary Feature Jessica Kingdon, Kira Simon-Kennedy, and Nathan Truesdell Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards January 25, 2022 Best Documentary Ascension Cinema Eye HonorsMarch 1, 2022 Outstanding Non-Fiction Feature Feature Jessica Kingdon, Kira Simon-Kennedy, and Nathan Truesdell Outstanding DirectionJessica Kingdon Outstanding Debut Outstanding Cinematography Jessica Kingdon and Nathan Truesdell Outstanding Original Score Dan Deacon Critics' Choice Documentary AwardsNovember 14, 2021 Best Documentary Feature Ascension Best DirectorJessica Kingdon Best First Documentary Feature Best Score Dan Deacon Best Cinematography Jessica Kingdon and Nathan Truesdell Best Editing Jessica Kingdon Denver Film Festival November 15, 2021 Special Mention Best Documentary Ascension Directors Guild of America Awards March 12, 2022 Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentaries Jessica Kingdon Gotham Awards November 29, 2021 Best Documentary Ascension Hamptons International Film Festival October 11, 2021 Best Documentary Feature Ascension IDA Documentary Awards March 4, 2022 Best Cinematography Jessica Kingdon and Nathan Truesdell Independent Spirit Awards March 6, 2022 Best Documentary Feature Jessica Kingdon, Kira Simon-Kennedy, and Nathan Truesdell National Board of Review Awards December 2, 2021 Top 5 Documentaries Ascension Producers Guild of America Awards March 19, 2022 Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures Jessica Kingdon, Kira Simon-Kennedy, and Nathan Truesdell Satellite Awards April 2, 2022 Best Motion Picture, Documentary Ascension Tribeca Film FestivalJune 24, 2021 Best Documentary Feature Ascension Albert Maysles Award Jessica Kingdon
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