In the opening scene of Nora Highland, Sam (Erick Patrick Harper) auditions for a role with a casting director (Mallory Portnoy). Even though it's embarrassing, the scene is amusing. The meeting appears doomed from the start due to issues with machinery, the workplace, and subordinates.
The Meeting, which takes place roughly in the middle of the film, is critical to understanding Nora Highland. This is where a successful, elderly actor meets a mostly frustrated director with a golden opportunity for a conversation that turns out to be an audition.
Linda (Marin Ireland) and Mark (Michael Hsu Rosen) are easily identified as having a history together. Despite their mutual interests and similarities, Linda questions hiring a gay actor, and their initially cordial conversation quickly turns heated.
Still, the actor thinks it's just a conversation because he believes he has already landed the lead role in this show. Both Ireland and Rosen do a fantastic job of capturing the little details, the unspoken silences that say a lot, and the casting process details that are well-known in the industry but are often not discussed, making for a very interesting back and forth between the characters.
As Nora Highland comes to a close, it becomes clear (if it wasn't already) how this story will end, just as it has in real life over and over and over again. It is a fun look into the world of film that shows you the undercurrents that go into most of the films we get. Auditioning and getting accepted for a show is not as easy as it looks and Nora Highland shows how frustrating it can be for the actors and everyone involved in the production.
What film collection would this film be suitable for?
Nora Highland is a thought-provoking LGBTQ+ film that offers viewers a lot to discuss. It is a fitting addition to film collections in both public and academic libraries with LGBTQ+ sections.
Which subject can this film's content be more favorable for?
Nora Highland depicts how the arts community's limited view of LGBTQ actors confines them to roles involving people of the same identity. Because the film is based on things that happen in real life, it is a good choice for art majors.