The Ascension (2011)

When a beggar comes upon a box with the power to change his life for the better, he demonstrates this ability to other beggars. However, to his horror, upon witnessing the box's power, the others plot against him to obtain it. Eventually, they realize that the box is more than what it seems. What follows leaves the group in pure and utter awe.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Hawaii International Film Festival
Irvine International Film Festival
Guam International Film Festival
Beloit International Film Festival
Newport Beach Film Festival
Asian American International Film Festival
West Chester International Short Film Festival
Bergen International Youth Film Festival
ION International Film Festival
Norwich Film Festival
Crossroads Film Festival
Film Fest Twain Harte
Non Violence International Film Festival

AWARDS
2012 Crossroads Film Festival, Winner - Adam Ford Youth Filmmaking Award
2012 Hong Kong Independent Short Film & Video Awards - Youth Finalist
2013 Hong Kong ICT Award: Best Digital Entertainment Award, Special Mention - Visual Effects
2011 Hong Kong Schools Film Awards, Nominee - Best Film (Drama)
2011 Hong Kong Schools Film Awards, Winner - Best Director
2011 Hong Kong Schools Film Awards, Winner - Best Editor
2011 Hong Kong Schools Film Awards, Nominee - Best Cinematographer
2011 SIS Film Awards, Winner - Best Film
2011 SIS Film Awards, Winner - Best Director
2011 SIS Film Awards, Nominee - Best Editor
2011 SIS Film Awards, Nominee - Best Scriptwriter
2011 SIS Film Awards, Nominee - Best Cinematographer
2011 SIS Film Awards, Nominee - Best Sound Designer

CREW
Director: Gershon Sng
Writer: William Hall-Jones
Editor: Matthew Tung
Director of Photography: Stanley Leung
Sound & Music: Gershon Sng

Key Grip: Eugene Temlock
Violin Soloist: Aiden Chan
Makeup: Stephanie Handley, Linda Lim

CAST
Richard Sng
Daniel Chan
Marcus Kwan
John Kwan



Director's Statement:
The Ascension is a magical realism film about a beggar who finds a box with the power to duplicate its content. It employs both Hollywood and silent film conventions in terms of pacing and direction; and is influenced by cubist editing techniques and the Bible. It is allegorical and explores the theme of greed in human nature. It was always my intention to carefully monitor all aspects of the pre, post, and production process as director to maximize synergy between my team in order to achieve a sense of escapism for the audience. I feel this was successfully achieved.



Additional Information:
A first year piece for the IB Film Studies course.
An accepted USC Visual Sample.

• Category

  Film & Animation

[DimityGirl]

Congratulations on a fantastic film. You guys deserved all the awards you got.

[CircleCreationHK]

very nice short film~carry on boys!!!

[wilsonllai]

Great video! Just one question though... at 1:10 how did you create that transition?

[Moriarty2740]

ABSOLUTE GENIUS...

[hyunz5]

Would it be possible for me to use a small part of the audio at the end as a background music for a school project. nothing big. its not something thts going to be published or anything. only to show my teacher. I will defo giv u credits and put reference! please please? thanks =)

[Alison Thomas]

This is fantastic!! Well done!