A surreal, cosmic trip compiled primarily from the previously unseen archives of the Soviet space program, Ascension is a hypnotic montage of remarkable beauty, discovery, and weirdness. Where else can you see early rocket launches, footage of training tests, and experiments and artifacts from a bygone era of space exploration intercut with experimental animation films and archival images of China's rise from agricultural society to industrial neophyte? Comprised almost entirely of found footage, Ascension paints an alternately amusing, beguiling, and chilling portrait of the things mankind was willing to do to launch into the stratosphere. Compulsory viewing for cinephiles and retro sci-fi geeks.