High Art centers on Syd, a young and ambitious assistant editor at a high-end photography magazine in New York. Living a structured and somewhat conventional life, Syd unexpectedly meets Lucy Berliner, a once-renowned photographer who has since retreated from the public eye and now lives a reclusive, bohemian lifestyle.
Syd discovers that Lucy lives in the apartment above hers, and through a leaky ceiling incident, the two women meet. As they get to know each other, Syd becomes fascinated by Lucy's edgy, artistic world β filled with heroin use, emotional complexity, and unorthodox relationships. Lucy is surrounded by a circle of artists and addicts, including her troubled girlfriend Greta, a former German actress.
Syd sees professional potential in Lucy's work and pitches her to the magazine, hoping to revive Lucy's career and boost her own. However, their relationship deepens into a passionate and intense love affair, blurring the lines between art, ambition, addiction, and desire.
As Syd is drawn deeper into Lucy's chaotic world, she begins to confront her own desires and ambitions. The film builds toward a tragic and poignant climax that reflects the cost of artistic brilliance and emotional vulnerability.
Β
Β