English summary

Magnificent!

How cleverly Tan’s multifaceted portrait refreshes our view of this mountain

A wonderfully hypnotic experience

This cinematic ode to Japan’s Mount Fuji, by the renowned visual artist Fiona Tan, is also a monument created by a British women to a deceased Japanese friend. She commemorates him, their love and what he taught her about Japan.

No mountain has been photographed as often as Mount Fuji. The mountain’s visual magnificence is due in part to its immutability. Few of the world’s mountains have such mythical status as Mount Fuji. Ascent is also a hypnotic study of people, the Buddhist way of life and Japanese myths and fairytales. Enjoy the seamless stream of reflections on the relationship between East and West, the uncompromising mountain and the changeability of people, movement and stillness, life and death, film and photography.

With its rhythmic succession of images and astute observations on art and life, Ascent can easily put the viewer in a trance. This is an enjoyable minor masterpieces that will leave you feeling wonderfully relaxed and richer for watching it!