Ascension Sci-Fi Feature Movie Film, Scifi, Science Fiction, Space, Indie Film

FREE - this is an independent science fiction feature film I made 25 years ago. A special investigator is sent to Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a noted scientist. Self-financed, the movie was produced on an extreme shoestring budget.
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It was shot on 35mm with an Arri 2C camera and blimp. I recently used my DIY transfer device to make a 2K digital copy from a low contrast 35mm print. I also did some digital clean up and effects.
CLOSED CAPTIONS ADDED

[@davehales2249]

Just came across this on KZbin, really don't know how old it is, but it has that 1980s,low budget SCI fi feel to it, and they nailed it,has cult status,if it already doesn't 👍👍👍

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@mumblesbadly7708]

I especially liked the computerized voice of the emergency beacon device! 🚨🤖

[@SeraphXeno]

Great lighting. Good acting. Budget got the job done.

[@DrQuadrivium]

*Excellent.* This is what real science fiction is about in every way, regardless of the budget. I consider this a classic. _Not for impatient kids with no attention span or imagination!_

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks very much!

[@Wig4]

@@FreshGroundPictures Indeed ! It is what I hate with 99.8% of Holywood films: they are all produced for an audience consisting of artificially fucked up ADHD people .. :-)

[@montyvierra2678]

As one commenter implied, this is science fiction for adults. A couple of others noted the Solaris feel. There's a lot to be said for any film that it's even in the same neighborhood. Well done.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thank you!

[@georgedog100]

Once again, I venture into the world of Sci Fi. Ever hopeful of able to say "Great you should see the movie I just watched!"...I can say this... Excellent camera work, very good sound, very good close ups, story concept good, .....but once again ....The ending ...WTF ! Eric in Australia

[@dimitrispapadimitriou5622]

Thank you for this wonderful film. Really enjoyed it.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thank you too!

[@jamesgibson3582]

I liked the movie and immersive ambience. Also I wish I could respond to direct questions with maximum ambiguity as these characters do. It would make my work life a lot easier.

[@skuhlemeyer]

The set looks very real that must really a big job to do. Acting good.

[@deirdrehelfferich8281]

Superb story and acting. Excellent ambiguous ending.

[@christopherlord3441]

Really beautifully done. Some echoes of Solaris, but even so, excellent work. Great dialogue and great acting from everyone. Kudos.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thank you very much!

[@transneural]

I found myself immersed in the situation, without having any idea, just as it also happened to them, what was happening. It has a Solaris flavor to it, but it's a creation unto itself. It immerses you in its invisible tension. I liked...

[@pats3714]

Yeah, reminded me also of Solaris

[@TheHouseOfOshun]

happened. upon and sincerely amazed!

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@brianroberts815]

Great cinematography and sets. Good job overall. You have mad talent and should do something else.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks - I've been trying!

[@billxam2674]

I thought the Commodore 64 keyboard was a nice touch.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Good catch! When we made this film, no one was collecting them though...

[@billxam2674]

@@FreshGroundPictures I know, I had 10 of them and two 128Ds. And all the CMD hard drives, 3.5 floppy and expansion packs, had one 128D with 256k.

[@naradaian]

Some keyboards were built to last after all

[@freestonew]

[spoiler alert] Yes, this movie seems to me to be based on the movie SOLARIS. I have noticed something over the years, though. There is such a thing as a plot. Often the same plot has appeared over and over and over again. Even in the same genre, the same plots often appears. However... Here enters the Storyteller! Whether the storyteller is one person or a collective-made movie, the storyteller makes or breaks the plot. A Storyteller can take a plot or event, one that has appeared over and over, and turn this plot into a very creative story. It is how a story is told, rather than the plot contents alone, that makes this story very interesting and well done. ...like this here movie, ASCENSION! Halfway through the movie, I predicted what would happen. Yup, came true. It IS the journey, not the destination that Counts! I knew of someone who could describe to his friends his buying trip to Walmart and describing to the penny each of the several dozen items he bought! But this account was gripping! I wanted to hear more! In fact, my father. Someone told me that he came into the cafe and then sat down with his buddies and he began to Talk! Yes, talk. Talk non-stop and non-stop for FOUR HOURS and no one said a single word! He talked Indian legends, weather, geology, geography, coal, caves, settler accounts, and so much more. His wife eventually called to tell him supper was ready and he had now to leave. Silence! one man spoke up and he said, "Too bad Dudley had to leave, I wanted more"! *This* person was a storyteller. Your movie is made by storytellers. By You and maybe others too. Thank you. *subscribe*!

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@dougholliday467]

Wonderfull, but a little deep for me. I think I'll try it again. Thx for the film.

[@JosephDent-qd9ih]

Diylium/cold fission

[@denmanning3080]

I rarely leave comments but I had to say to anyone who finds this, this is a great movie! Take the time to watch.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@nickbrown4762]

Well worth watching. I really enjoyed this film, thanks.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Glad to hear it! Thanks!

[@sashx05]

I liked it! Didn't realise it was 25-year shoestring movie lol Of course it had the feel" but I liked that and just went with it. My time was honoured so in turn I am to". Thank you for this tunnel back in your" time..

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@bilbaggins1]

Excellent work. 9/10 from me. Still trying to unravel the story but give me time! Nothing to prevent this from being a classic regardless of the budget. Very hard to fault any aspect of the whole movie. Take a bow!!!

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks much!

[@GuitarUniverse2013]

A classic? You’ve got to be kidding! I’ve never come across such an inappropriate representation of the word!

[@MorbinNecrim86]

Well, that was a trip! Thoroughly enjoyed. Will rewatch

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@jayfinn4372]

Amazing job for low budget! I look forward to seeing what you come out with next

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching - I have a bunch of projects I'd like to do, but budgeting is always an issue!

[@MedicatedOMO]

I like endings with answers or a followup that takes care of it. Other than that well done.

[@denniscarroll3164]

Great job! I would've have proud to have made this. Thanks! Maybe hook up with Dust or something.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@KarunanithiNRamachandran]

Classic science fiction . They don't make science fiction movies like this anymore , just a lot of zombie apocalypse crap and alien warfare crap .

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@tomkelly1442]

Smart, engrossing, thought provoking, unique

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-gx2yy1df6f]

i love the fact that they smoke in the future, it's gotta be rebellious , hell it is today !

[@JesusHernandez-ll5ok]

Rebellious and deadly as today as in the future 😢😮💀☠️💨

[@thefrener794]

You can smoke here now as well. You just cannot force others who do not want to smoke to do it. At your home, in your own home, anywhere you can do personal stuff without forcing others to do it as well. Some people are so delusional they ignore what they can do to focus on the one thing they cannot do. Sure smoking seems rebellious if you ignore the possible murder of the scientist. And the dangerous and horrible working conditions. But it is okay for your boss to abuse you any way with not a word of rebellion.

[@randallpage8402]

Brilliant. The story, acting, and all the other various parts worked well together. Thanks for posting this one.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thank you very much!

[@darleneharper179]

@@FreshGroundPictures what was this movie about?

[@scottschenk5456]

​@@darleneharper179 it appears to be an investigation of a murder suicide. What's not clear is how he got on the moon

[@Ron4885]

I agree. It's another kind of movie, not one 'everybody' will like. I thought it was interesting and a new idea.

[@martharash3987]

This was the second time I watched this movie and now I understand the ending.

[@Ron4885]

I think I do as well.

[@rutbrea8796]

To my understanding the scientist was murdered by one of them and they were complicit in the action. Jealousy probably! They made sure that the scientist left no trace of his whereabouts!

[@davidhewson8605]

Excellent with so little !. Thanks. Dave

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@timmotel5804]

Good Film. I enjoyed it. Thank You & Best Regards to all involved. Keep up the good work

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks very much!

[@southernsmoke8391]

I like movies that hold my interest throughout. Well done!

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@6711BC]

what a tremendous undertaking and well done...oddly watching this in my dark hangar it was somewhat scary...

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@lincolnyaco5626]

Superb cinematography. THANKS for sharing it.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Many thanks!

[@BingGeaux]

@36:41 - hallway example - plain jane with clutter and flat/muted wall texture no high gloss

[@nahnuhhuh]

I liked the movie -80s low budget feel, slow pace, lot of things open to imagination... but maybe too many things let to imagination: I don't know what happened. Help?

[@kevinmccarthy8746]

WOW, This is very good. I noticed the lower budget, but not much. Very good STYLE of Blade Runner, the original, spooky DISTOPIAN, type future.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@JosephDent-qd9ih]

Crystal holding a power chemical. Star Trek/ Warp core.

[@johngudmundson5020]

not bad at all! Good movie!

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks much!

[@geoffmolyneux9173]

It is similar to Outland with Sean Connery.

[@pmfilmsUK]

Fantastic and flawless.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@bluelava4282]

Gem 💎 Actor’s for a low budget….. Fantastic watch 💥

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@bluelava4282]

@@FreshGroundPictures Appreciate 👌 🍿

[@bluelava4282]

@@FreshGroundPictures Appreciate Very Cool….. Do Another please

[@PawelKaczmarekDanisz]

Life forms all have a way of communicating though from one species to another would we always know.

[@robert-trading-as-Bob69]

Ascension. To ascend, move up, climb higher, improve. At the end the angel-light is from above and the glass from the hatch is falling down, signalling a breach. Whether Hayes ascended is up to you.. was he worthy? Did his crime keep from ascending? Did it even matter, and is ascension for everyone anyway? Ascend. + Equilibrium. = Descend. -

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Very perceptive - thanks for watching!

[@Richard-vf2yd]

Actually...the habitat probably will look like steel shipping containers...for a long time. Be a while until Star Trek type civilization..

[@Wig4]

It is wonderfull. In a way, I feel a "classic Russian literature" spirit in it. Wandering around in the thoughs of people, not reaching the bottom of any, as is the reality in life.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for the comments!

[@melvinhowell5469]

Very cool! Thank you!

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@k3ttt]

Wow!! Just wow!

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@HarrySmith-hr2iv]

Superb. This held my attention thru out.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelbidegain1455]

Great ending

[@jetwayartisman]

Nicely transferred to digital looks good from my device

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thank you!

[@jamesholland5475]

Weird, strange , erie even.

[@user-gx2yy1df6f]

14:15 william blake was out there, a mystic and prophet.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Yes indeed!

[@user-gx2yy1df6f]

He knew ! @@FreshGroundPictures

[@user-xd2rs9zy5u]

Reminds me of Solaris ...

[@captaingrub2228]

Nice job.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@RadRogue1]

That guy doesn't blink ! 👀

[@nineofnine]

That's some powerful sleepers...sign me up for a double 😅😂

[@DebT-yl1fw]

Thanks for posting

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@lucar01inos16]

Too good to have been produced on such a low budget. This must be a cult film in the d web.

[@Elnufo]

I enjoyed watching this movie a lot, despite the fact that english is not my native language. Especially the Soundtrack really impressed me. A real pleasure, well worth the watch. You did an amazing Job here.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@joeboss8576]

I lived through 6 decades of not seeing what that majority of science fiction books and movies thought would be the future. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon July 20, 1969 in a bug looking spaceship. Science Fiction had us colonizing Mars. In the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey we were supposed to have a giant round space station that was like a luxury resort and we were supposed to be able to travel to the moon, Jupiter and beyond. But in reality in 2001, 23 years ago we only have a space station that looks like a Lego set made from connected beer cans, we didn't go back to the moon and we still don't really know if we could make it to Mars and with our current technology we don't know whether if we could go and come back or have to go and make it a one way trip then we can learn from that trip to figure out how to make it a two way trip. As of now it's a 9 month voyage to mars. A three month wait for the proper alignment of Earth and Mars then a another 9 months to return. A total of 21 months.

[@johnrogan9420]

ENTIRE SPACE PROGRAM WAS AND IS A GIGANTIC HOAX...WATCH CAPRICORN ONE!

[@wendyboonstoppel7196]

Fabulous.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

Great movie

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@SuzzyB52]

Brilliant

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@RSEFX]

SOLARIS-like (Tarkovski version) And some nods to BLADERUNNER. The lead actor is quite good. I have partial heavily detailed spaceship set here plus tons of set-dressing and sf prop material and miniature pieces. A shame I never got the opportunity to shoot anything major with all this....soon to be disassembled!! Thanks for posting. Nice to see SF with a strong DRAMATIC core instead of all empty effects.

[@donkenmuir9504]

Very good film

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@marbleman52]

Wow..this is 25 years old? How long have you had it on Y.T.? I just today noticed it. And you say you made it on "an extreme shoestring budget." Well, I think you did extremely well for an extremely shoestring budget..!! Yea, I thought it started slow; especially with the almost non existent dialogue between the characters. I was talking to the screen with : But wait a minute...why didn't you say this...or that....why didn't you respond with the obvious come-back questions...etc...!! But that is what ratcheted up the tension and it got me hooked. Well done....different...weird....I liked it.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@Aprilsraven629]

Great movie, really well written had to watch every minute to get the gist of the plot ...the ending was good and left you guessing...

[@Ann-rf8fi]

Koffka would be jealous 👍🏼👍🏼

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@mumblesbadly7708]

Perhaps you meant “Kafka”?

[@twilightgamedesigns4887]

Great job for low budget. Acting and sets looked good. What effects you had seemed to be done well. I agree with others the ending is not very clear, kinda has a 2001 feel. Only real complaint is I understand the suspense slow burner approach but was just to slow, some dead time, scene's not really needed. If you had had just a couple more characters at odds about this and that, different opinions on what happen, not getting along from the isolation, etc, would have really helped keep things moving along and fill in some time. But yah, great job, great quality.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@Shin-ei_Official]

Really enjoyed it! Great work!!

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@harrycurrie5295]

For only 3 actors this was a good movie well enjoyed for a low budget movie its a 5 star 🌟 movie

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@andrewstrom3785]

Don't even know what I just watched, but it was entertaining.

[@jayturner3397]

Fascinating 😮uk 🇬🇧

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@theresarenee]

Excellent...hold your interest.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@OppoFs-sg9nm]

Well, It's Just A Movie... Enjoy Watching It.

[@cliffcampbell8827]

I feel the ending was a little too ambiguous but other than that, I liked it.

[@boydjensen3161]

He had to "Unkill" the boy to be "free."

[@domestique3954]

@@boydjensen3161Thanks! The monolith comes to my mind and the gigantic space ship the Russians managed to photograph around Phobos...

[@Steve-pp2bt]

I suppose. Perhaps. I have no idea. 'ts what they say. The maintenance guy's acting.. all of it. Beautiful.

[@pontram]

Very underrated movie. Very impressive, even more if seen as a first full-length feature film.Yes, slow pacing, not much dialog. But captivating, at least for me. It is good when things are left open for imagination. Sadly, you didn't follow a career path as a movie director. You are certainly talented.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@donkenmuir9504]

Good 😊film. Interesting story I liked it. Watch again get more out of it

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@GraemeWight-wx3xz]

I enjoyed your film. For a budget effort i was impressed. I hope you get work. You deserve it.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thank you very much!

[@kennethalmond8922]

Pretty darn good movie! I prefer 'someone get's out alive' in my best movies but hey, really really nice work!

[@demej00]

Didn't get it but was entertained.

[@davidmackie8552]

Very interesting

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Glad you think so!

[@trocadero1965]

Bollywood sci fi is starting its own production! Hindi with English subtitles .Seems that BRICS have a common development and are billions people .This is a fab movie, thanks 4 sharing !

[@terencegalland]

what happened to Lippert???

[@ToddHofer]

Great movie. Totally lost at the ending but, great nonetheless.

[@1MajorTom]

love it 🥰🥰

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@simonbode7356]

Titan is not the 15th moon of Saturn. There are at least 146 moons. Titan is the 6th of the largest moons. Titan's orbital period is 16 days. Titan is the largest moon, and is the second largest moon in the solar system.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

When the movie was made 25 years ago, Titan was the 15th known most distant moon of Saturn. It’s slightly higher now because of more recent discoveries.

[@darylcumming7119]

Congratulations.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thank you!

[@David-no7nu]

Good story, good acting, good effects, good everything.

[@isharymer8347]

Great acting, great storyline but missing a punch or closure. Based on the name ascension would indicate rainy to a higher state of being but there was no insight by the character to indicate anything more than death by a alien being.

[@eduardobrandaoalves2307]

Bright.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching

[@JULIASMITH-eg9kp]

Good

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks for watching!

[@k.sullivan6303]

I liked some parts of the movie, but in the end, I was not really sure what happened or what didn't happen. I wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't.

[@galba6864]

very good 9/10

[@milejukic3297]

Big heads full screen, and some more big heads.