High Art

Set against the chic yet cutthroat world of contemporary art, the story follows Syd, a young editor at a leading art magazine who is hungry for advancement. She becomes drawn to her neighbor, Lucy, a photographer whose drug addiction shadows her studio and life. Both women sense an opportunity to use the other's ambitions to push their own careers forward, trading favors, connections, and tacit ethics for leverage. As their professional schemes brush up against genuine desire, a complicated romance begins to form, tested by trust, power, and the price of ambition. The film avoids glamorizing the scene, instead watching small choices ripple through careers and hearts.

Directed by Lisa Cholodenko, High Art arrived in 1998 as her breakout feature. It tells an original screenplay set in the art world and features a tight ensemble led by Radha Mitchell, Ally Sheedy, and Patricia Clarkson. It established Cholodenko as a bold new voice in indie cinema and helped launch Radha Mitchell's U.S. profile.

Critics praised the film for its intimate tone and performances that carry a quiet emotional weight. It examines ambition and desire within a modern art scene, balancing personal risk with professional ambition, and questions whether art and love can coexist without compromise. Audiences praised the subtle chemistry between the leads.

Within LGBT and indie cinema, High Art is often noted for its candid portrayal of a lesbian relationship within a high stakes creative milieu. Its mood and character driven approach influenced later films that place romance under professional pressures. It remains a touchstone for authenticity.

Awards: High Art did not receive major nominations, but it earned notice within independent and LGBT cinema circles for its performances and direction. Critics highlighted Cholodenko's confident handling of sensitive material and the film's restrained, mood driven storytelling, which helped spark ongoing conversations about authenticity and risk.