Ascension

About This Movie

Ascension is this intriguing piece that explores the tension between the sublime and the mundane. It's got this haunting, almost dreamlike quality, with those painted clouds layered over gritty, close-up textures that really make you think about the beauty and chaos in life. The pacing is meditative, urging you to linger on each frame, while the practical effects, if you can call them that, are purely Brakhage—raw and unfiltered. The film feels like a personal exploration, where you can sense the artist grappling with deeper themes of existence, and it leaves you in a space of contemplation.

Ascension has a bit of a niche following among collectors, primarily due to its experimental nature and the unique vision of Brakhage. The film has seen limited releases, making any format of it somewhat scarce, especially the original prints. Collectors tend to appreciate its artistic value over mass appeal, so finding a copy can be a real treasure hunt.