Vera Farmiga’s directorial debut, Higher Ground, depicts the landscape of a tight-knit spiritual community thrown off-kilter when one of their own begins to question her faith. Inspired by screenwriter Carolyn S. Briggs’ memoir This Dark World, the film tells the story of a thoughtful woman’s struggles with belief, love, and trust – in human relationships as well as in God.
This is a slow, talky drama aimed at adult moviegoers. Fans of director-star Vera Farmiga will enjoy this major showcase for her. While this has a religious theme, this is not a typical Christian inspirational drama but one that asks questions about faith. Adult subject matter and language make the film inappropriate for children, who would be bored anyhow.
Carolyn Briggs grew up with modest means in the Iowa heartland. Pregnant at seventeen, married a few months later, by the age of eighteen she found herself living in a trailer with no plans beyond having more babies-until she found Jesus. It began innocently enough-a few minutes lingering on the televangelist stations, a cursory look at the Bible-and soon she had wholly given herself over to a radical, apocalyptic New Testament church.
Her daily life was permeated with a sense of the divine-she spent hours a day in prayer and Bible study, wore modest clothing, even braced herself for the Rapture every time she heard trumpet music over the supermarket loudspeaker. It was only when her marriage began to unravel that Carolyn dared to question the religious dogma she had embraced for all of her adult life to date.
Director’s Statement
“I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
Lord plant my feet on higher ground.”
— Lyrics to the hymn “Higher Ground,” written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. (Bible reference, Philippians 3:14)
Becoming a mother has changed me as an artist and storyteller. Now that I am asked so many questions by my children, I have never been more sure of not knowing the answers. I read Carolyn S. Briggs’ memoir, This Dark World, and was touched by her testimony, its candor, humor, and honesty about the very topic of “not knowing.” Her journey of self-discovery resonated with me on every level as a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend, and a mother.
I am also a sucker for a good love story. Our story follows a twenty-year span of all the love relationships in Corinne’s life. It stacks and studies the four tiers of love: agape, eros, philia and storge [unconditional love, romantic love, love of family and friends, fond affection]. It was especially relevant and unique to me in the way it represents female friendship—as a refuge in harmony, not conflict or competition, as is often represented between women in film.
While the men in the story are also full, rich characters, the story stresses that love between women is important. We see in each other the woman that we would love to be. I thought this had the makings of an unusual and important film. The choices and truths it explores are universal: we’re all seekers, longing for meaning. We all want a better sense of self. We all, on some level or another, experience moments full of doubt and questioning, feeling disappointed or disillusioned, in need of clarity. Why not throw all these notions up on the screen and see what sticks?
The film asks: is it possible for faith and doubt to coexist? What is a healthy soul? What holds us back from inner growth? Christianity is the “location” of the film, not the subject, concern, or issue. The film could have been set just as easily in a variety of faiths or cultures. I have a deep respect for all religions; I’m most familiar with Christianity. I did not want to make a film about the rights and wrongs of religion. I wanted to be reverent and respectful, and I did not want to infect the story with bias. It is about those moments in life where you lose sight of who you are, what you believe, and where you are going. Those moments of stumbling. The film is about finding your footing, finding higher ground. – Vera Farmiga
Higher Ground
Directed by: Vera Farmiga
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Joshua Leonard, Dagmara Dominczyk, Joshua Leonard, Donna Murphy, Taissa Farmiga, Kaitlyn Rae King, Jillian Lindig, Taylor Schwencke
Screenplay by: Carolyn S. Briggs, Tim Metcalfe
Production Design by: Sharon Lomofsky
Cinematography by: Michael McDonough
Film Editing by: Colleen Sharp
Costume Design by: Amela Baksic
Set Decoration by: Diana Bregman
Art Direction by: Shawn Carroll, Lisa Myers
Music by: Alec Puro
MPAA Rating: R for some language and sexual content.
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Release Date:
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