A group of Sicilian teenagers spend an evening discussing life and art.

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Review by Julie C. Sheppard:

 In this short Higher, the choice of the title is multidimensional. The fact that the teen characters get high together is an obvious link. Another link is that, after an encounter with a glowing orb, they are sucked into a surreal universe, floating up in the air in an intoxicating, echoey, colourful chamber. The third more subtle link is that the characters, believably portrayed by the cast, are so intelligent and expand on ideas and questions that soar high above the comprehension of average young people, with lofty discussions about reality and art. 

The handheld camera work of the film’s “director” brings an immediacy and intensity to the piece, especially during the intimate nighttime interchanges. Sultry opening soundtrack refrains are gorgeous, as the central couple drives by picturesque Italian scenery. A brilliant narrative moves the action back and forth in time, as the inciteful teens are pulled into the vortex and return again to reality. The multi-faceted nature of this piece truly elucidates what it means to go higher and higher.