5 Questions for Filmmakers Joe Kramer & Christian Sarkis Graham

ORIGINALLY POSTED June 20, 2023

Shot on location in Philadelphia, HIGHER GROUNDS is an extraterrestrial short-form comedy that takes an orbital view of life on Earth. Philly director Joe Kramer offers all of the Larry David-inspired humor in retro sci-fi packaging that was celebrated in his viral Vimeo Staff Pick, RUNNING THE GAMMATAR. This new film even features a hilarious performance from SEINFELD’s own John O’Hurley, as the eccentric alien commander.

However, HIGHER GROUNDS tackles much more urgent social themes than its predecessor: namely in humanity’s lukewarm response to threats of climate change and tendency toward mob mania in times of unrest. It meets these pressing issues of the time with a cartoonish, Simpsons-like satire and a vibrant, artistic flair influenced by Wes Anderson.

In fact, HIGHER GROUNDS captures the now virally trending “Wes Anderson Style” more than even the filmmakers themselves intended. A passing glance of the trailer and subject matter for Anderson’s ASTEROID CITY shows an uncanny resemblance between the two films. The filmmakers have stated that they will not be charging extrasensory consultation fees to Anderson’s team, and will instead chalk this one up to cosmic timing, too.

The Short Film is Available to View on Vimeo – Click Image

HIGHER GROUNDS was the recipient of the Philadelphia Independent Media Finishing Fund grant from Scribe Video Center and the Wyncote Foundation. It was named a finalist for Best Comedy Series in the Austin Comedy Film Festival (2023), as well as for the Audience Award in the Raindance Film Festival satellite event, the Japan Indies Film Festival (2022). It also screened in the Coney Island Film Festival in early May, and Lighthouse International Film Festival in early June.

I got a chance to ask this filmmaking duo
Joe Kramer (co-writer/director)
&
Christian Sarkis Graham (co-writer/producer)
to join Tinsel & Tine’s 5 QUESTIONS SERIES

T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for HIGHER GROUNDS and/or the theme that is the heart of your film?
T&T: Tell us a bit about the music? (Who did you work with? What did you want to convey? Or any other tidbits)
T&T: What were some Pros and Cons to shooting in Philly?
T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to the screen…
T&T: Name 5 favorite films which influenced your desire to be a filmmaker …