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This Cannes 1998 selection is more than just another account of urban lesbian love. High Art embraces the complexities of human connection and difference. At its core is an exploration of how chance encounters can lead to momentous decisions and radical life changes. Lisa Cholodenko's script took the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance.
The central character is Syd (Radha Mitchell), an idealistic editor-in-training for an art photography magazine. Even though she is romantically involved with James (Gabriel Mann), the relationship is less than engaging. When she stumbles across the partying and disengaged Lucy (Ally Sheedy), who lives upstairs, a tentative friendship evolves into a passionate affair. Instead of resting on worn lesbian stereotypes, the apparent differences between Syd and Lucy develop into rich complexity.
"The beauty of Cholodenko's writing is that she etches the evolving friendship, and the transformation of the two women, step by step, without any cheating. Lucy and Syd spend a lot of time together, but they don't jump immediately into bed. High Art may contain one of the most candid sex scenes in American film, showing both the heat and the awkward physicaiity between an older, experienced woman and a nervous, insecure novice. But the real revelation is the beautiful Mitchell, last seen in the Aussie romantic comedy Love and Other Catastrophes. Her scenes with Sheedy are so truthfully touching that she's bound to win the hearts of young lesbians on the verge of coming out." - Variety
Lisa Cholodenko commenced her film career in 1990. She initially worked as an Assistant Editor on a number of critically lauded films including John Singleton's Boyz 'n' the 'Hood and Gus Van Sant's To Die For. While studying to attain a Master's Degree in Fine Arts Cholodenko worked with Milos Forman and directed two multi-award-winning shorts: Souvenir (1994) and Dinner Party (1997). High Art is Cholodenko's first feature film.