Higher Ground

• Director: Vera Farmiga
• Writer: Carolyn S. Briggs, Tim Metcalfe
• Cast: Vera Farmiga, Joshua Leonard, John Hawkes, Dagmara Dominczyk, Norbert Leo Butz, Donna Murphy
• Theatrical Release Date: August 26, 2011
• Criticwire: B
• On The Web IMDB Entry

Synopsis: Charting one woman’s spiritual journey through life while exploring and embracing her own humanity, "Higher Ground" is that rare film that is rich in ideas but also charged with emotion. As a child growing up in the 1960s, Corinne’s defining feature is her sense of inadequacy. When she reaches high school, her home life begins to unravel, driving her into the arms of Ethan, a guitarist in a local band. An event propels them to join a small fundamentalist community where they find meaning and stability. But some of its more conservative tenets leave Corinne unsettled, driving her into a profound crisis of faith that turns her world upside down. Vera Farmiga gives yet another richly nuanced performance, but this time she unleashes her equally formidable talent behind the camera as well. She tackles complex issues with sophistication and graceful insight, crafting a moving story about the transformative powers of faith and doubt. [Synopsis courtesy of the Sundance Institute]