.
.
Actress Vera Farmiga has made quite a name for herself on the Silver Screen in the past few years. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in UP IN THE AIR, and has turned in memorable performances in films like DOWN TO THE BONE, THE DEPARTED, JOSHUA, and more recently director Duncan Jones’ SOURCE CODE. If you talk to directors who have worked with her, they’ll tell you how generous she is as an actress, and what an extraordinary treat it is to have her on set. I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing her for SOURCE CODE earlier this year, and found her to be a delight. She’s now applied her vast film knowledge behind the camera with her directorial debut called HIGHER GROUND. The movie is a study of faith and religion and the importance it takes in the lives of various God-following folks. Some might call it an exercise in showing the value of Christianity, others may be frightened by its narrative, but there’s no denying the impressive qualities exhibited in its presentation. I once again had a chance to chat with Vera about the project, which she also stars in along with her younger sister Taissa (playing Vera’s character at a younger age), and features a diverse cast including John Hawkes, Donna Murphy, and Joshua Leonard. The following video features excerpts from a roundtable discussion, in which Farmiga talks about the way the project came together, her role in the film in front of and behind the camera, and the difficulties of making this kind of movie in Hollywood. It’s a candid exploration into the movie, and I can honestly say I once again found Vera to be a joy in person. Please check out the video below (watch for a rather amusing and random moment about six and a half minutes in), and look for HIGHER GROUND opening this weekend (September 9) at a theater near you. As always feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
Big thanks to Rachel Parker of DFWLive.org for shooting the interview.
And here’s the trailer for in case you haven’t seen it…
HIGHER GROUND opens September 9, 2011
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
