A strategic move for companies BCDF Pictures production in association with the Project Management real collective exhibitions, films and ruminants. (International sales:. CAA, Los Angeles) Produced by Claude Dal Farra, Renn Hawkey, Carly Hugo, Matt Parker, Jon Rubinstein. Executive producers, Jonathan Burkhart, Brice Dal Farra, Lauren Munsch, Tim Metcalfe, Carolyn S. Briggs. Directed by Vera Farmiga. Stage, Carolyn S. Briggs, Tim Metcalfe, memory-based "in this world of darkness: A Memoir of salvation found and lost" by Briggs.
Cast: Norbert Leo Butz, Dagmara Dominczyk, Vera Farmiga, John Hawkes, Joshua Leonard, Bill Irwin, Moss-Bachrach Ebon, Donna Murphy, Taiss Farmiga, Boyd Holbrook, Michael Chernus, McKenzie Turner, Nina Ariande.
A satirical portrait of life in the community still sensitive evangelical Christian, "Higher Ground" means finding a brave directorial debut of actress Vera Farmiga. Playing a woman to conceive and eventually give up questioning his faith, to keep track on the screen Farmiga occasional vanity project, attitudes, even though he led the way in this dense ensemble drama minor missteps of the past deep in the worlds moving and provocative. A reflective, often uncomfortable intimate view of religious practice made an agnostic view, "Ground" deserves attention distributor wants to transform the potentially divisive subject in the Arthouse conversation starter.
Adapted from Carolyn S. Briggs and Briggs, Tim Metcalfe, "" this world of darkness: Memoir of Salvation Found and Lost "movie is divided into chapters whose titles (" consumed "" wilderness, "etc.), perhaps too well reflect the stages of the spiritual path its protagonist. But the sum of these episodes is very rounded portrait of Corinne Walker, whose innate compassion, imagination and restless curiosity for the world in his position increasingly at odds with the faith has grown.
A child in the 60s (played with different ages and Helmer Turner, McKenzie's sister, Taissa Farmiga), a young Corinne raise their hands during worship, and should be a born-again believer, even though he has reacted to His conversion concerns more than acceptance. Highly intelligent with a passion for reading and writing, Corinne, pay little attention to God, until he married his high school sweetheart of rock star, Ethan (Boyd Holbrook). When an accident nearly claims her daughter's life son of Corinne and Ethan believes the work of God in their lives, and soon will make a dense suburban church.
Their family is growing, Corinne (now called Vera Farmiga) and Ethan (Joshua Leonard) become the pillars of the Community, and in addition to Corinne failed to reach the rebellious sister (Nina Arianda), their lives seem a fruitful and rewarding . But the strength of "Higher Ground" is, as it is revealed little by little over two hours and pleasant period of 20 years, the doubts and disappointments that can not keep the chisel from a deep convictions.
Corinne will soon realize their Bible knowledge and leadership skills natural to see the virtues of self, but threats against the man of the church elders. His close friend Annika free spirit (Dagmara Dominczyk), to open her up to the pleasures of erotic fantasy - made evident in some sequences Daydream too literal - and forces him to recognize the lack of passion in your marriage. And as an unexpected tragedy shakes Corinne that her faith will never recover, paving the way for a difficult time of reckoning with his family, his friends and God, all his prayers, rarely seem to respond.
To his great credit, Farmiga made a film that neither believers or nonbelievers feel totally comfortable. The camera does not move to extended scenes of people preach, pray and offer exhortations in everyday conversation, which some may find it burdensome and difficult to relate to others may object to the way the film leads to laughter apparent narrowness of its characters from the Bible quotes. However, the director has a talent for tonal and thematic complexity, and his criticism is informed by a critical patience and respect for the culture it represents. Those who know that culture can be so surprised by how Farmiga does well.
The actress brings a natural warmth, empathy and intelligence to carry the role of a woman, honest and intelligent is to keep his pleasure or his skepticism to himself. Other stars of roughly cast Dominczyk defined best friend role, like Corinne Leonard is frustrated but well-meaning man, and John Hawkes as his hard drinking father. The resemblance between Vera Farmiga and Taiss is so striking that the other of a more old / young match-ups are not as convincing.
Poli technology package is characterized by Michael McDonough and shines a HD movie soundtrack introduces hymns with sincere gratitude for their emotional power. The design of Sharon Lomofsky production (with sets by Diana Bregman) and Amela Baksic hippie costumes capture the mood everywhere, even places of worship, although the lack of geographic specificity or contextualize the historical references give the film a deliberate, a little disturbing isolation.
Camera (color, HD), Michael McDonough, the editor, Colleen Sharp, music, Alec Pure, Music Director, Music Collective, the production designer, Sharon Lomofsky, art director, Shawn Carroll, Lisa Myers, set designer, Diana Bregman, costumes, Amela Baksic, sound, James Demer; supervising sound editor, Robert Hein; re-recording mixer, Dominick winter activities, stunt coordinator, Manny Siver, assistant producer, Machan Taylor, Deputy Director, Michael Meador, casting, Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee. Revision of the Sundance Film Festival (competing), Jan. 23, 2011. Duration: 114 minutes