Initially planned as a series of short features focusing on the cycle of production and consumption, and, most importantly of all, the accessibility and definition of what has become the “Chinese Dream”, director Jessica Kingdon eventually decided to make one documentary about these various issues. Her movie, which was awarded Best Documentary Feature at Tribeca Film Festival 2021, aims to shed some light on the different ways capitalism, globalization and digitization have shaped the modern work environment, especially in China, and how it has affected (or will affect) our lives, our idea of privacy and the relationship to our jobs. The result, which will be released cinematically in October 2021, is quite intriguing when it comes to how the concept of work is changing, and the possible ways this might be worrisome.
Ascension is screening at Asian Pop-Up Cinema
As a starting point, Kingdon explores what the “Chinese Dream” actually implies and how it is understood, using various media, from ads praising the worth of hard work, to influencers recording their latest video, to give the viewer an idea of what the concept means. Similar to the American Dream, the focus on hard work, dedication and stability is critical for both the collective, for example, the company or the society as a whole, as well as the individual, whose life is determined and thus valued by these terms. By showing the different shades of the modern work environment, from the aforementioned influencers to factory workers manufacturing “Make America Great”-sweaters, Kingdon emphasizes how the concept is not abstract, but alive and well in the mindsets of people and, of course, those in charge of them, wiling to exploit slogans like the ones on the ads for their purposes.
At the same time, “Ascension”, as the title implies, can and should be regarded as an image of the global society and its economics. Nathan Truesdell's cinematography, Kingdon's editing and, most importantly, Dan Deacon's score often give the impression of observing a carefully orchestrated symphony of work, of movements and sounds, or a well-oiled machine which runs no matter what. With the remnants of ideology having been swallowed whole by global capitalism, only production and consumption are what drives the machine, and thus the individual. Footage of seminars about creating yourself as a brand or creating a “fan economy era” around your persona, are merely facets of a much bigger picture, which Kingdon shows in, at times, quite thought-provoking sequences.
In the end, “Ascension” is a powerful documentary about today's world of work, and the meaning of ideology in the age of modern economy. Jessica Kingdon has managed to create a quite thought-provoking and aesthetically solid documentary which sheds some light on how our idea of work, as supported by modern politics and the leaders of commerce, has helped shape our lives today and will define our future.
