Movie # 2104 ........................."Ascension" (HBO)

 Movie #2104 "Ascension" (HBO)  Oscar-nominated documentary was entertaining to me for the first 30 minutes or so, but it just went and on and on --- It comes across as apolitical, which in itself makes it stand out and different.  But after a while, it is list someone standing on a stage and listing --- after awhile, you wonder the reasons of the examples that are given to you.  After I watched this whole thing, I observed that the documentarians were showing us a wide variety of jobs that the Chinese have bailable in their culture ---- but many of them seem so restrictive.  So the whole society comes across as having a lack of freedom for its workers.  It isn't that they seem to be overworked, it's just that they usually wear uniforms and some of the work seems very tedious --- and just busy work.  These are all observations, since there is a lack of narration --- and I think it could have been useful here --- Occasionally, I was asking myself, "Is this for real?"  Especially in the blow up doll sequence --- It struck me that China is one of the biggest market for consumers, and they work hard enough to get that job done, but as a society , they don't seem to consume much.  There were several jobs where they were filming or taking pictures and they put on these fake smiles --- and in the other jobs, they don't seem to smile much at all.  It doesn't look like a happy society -- but to ascend in the world, they live by the quote no pain no gain -- the only worthy job you should use your intelligence, but there were so many jobs shown that don't stress intelligence from the worker.  Also, I noticed a lot of food prep was being done without gloves --- sanitation didn't seem to be a biggie, either.   And, I know you've heard this from me before, but this documentary ran tooooooo long.  I give it a 3 out of 5, and I don't recommend watching it.

"ASCENSION" (HBO)   1 hr and 37 minutes     2021

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.

Director:  Jessica Kingdon