High Art

Opened Friday, April 4, 2025

SHOWTIMES AT IFC CENTER

PLEASE NOTE: Our elevator is currently out of service.  All shows of HIGH ART April 9-10 are on the second floor and only accessible by stairs. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Friday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m.: Q&A with director Lisa Cholodenko and producers Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte, Dolly Hall, and Susan Stover

Saturday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m.: Q&A with director Lisa Cholodenko, producers Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte, Dolly Hall, and Susan Stover, and photographer Jojo Whilden moderated by Scott Macaulay, editor in chief of Filmmaker magazine

One of the key American indies of the 90s, writer-director Lisa Cholodenko’s award-winning 1998 debut returns to the big screen in a gorgeous new restoration.

At 24, Syd (Radha Mitchell) has landed her dream job at a New York photography magazine. After a chance meeting with her upstairs neighbor Lucy (Ally Sheedy), a once-celebrated photographer, Syd becomes enthralled with Lucy’s reckless lifestyle and relationship with her drug-addicted girlfriend (Patricia Clarkson). Before she can catch her breath, Syd discovers dark truths of life on the edge, and is forced to confront the consequences of her hunger for recognition and public esteem. 

Digitally restored by the Academy Film Archive and UCLA Film & Television Archive in conjunction with Sundance Institute from the 35mm original picture negative and DA-88 tapes. Funding provided by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Frameline, Sundance Institute, UCLA Film & Television Archive. Laboratory services by Roundabout Entertainment, Inc., Red Hook Post, Monkeyland Audio. Special thanks to Antidote Films, Marcus Hu, John Nein, and Strand Releasing.

  • Country USA
  • Year 1998
  • Running Time 102 minutes
  • Format DCP
  • Distributor Strand Releasing
  • Director Lisa Cholodenko
  • Cast Radha Mitchell, Patricia Clarkson, Gabriel Mann, Bill Sage, David Thornton, Anh Duong, Tammy Grimes, Ally Sheedy
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.