SYNOPSIS:

PUSHING UPWARD SYNOPSIS Pushing Upward takes us through one epic year in the life of 21-year-old Sandra Billings. While trying to eke out a living as an actress in L.A., she discovers the I Ching, the ancient Chinese oracle; and uses it as her GPS to battle demons of the past (a rape), navigate a torrid love affair, and search for meaning and truth. After consulting the oracle, Sandra places an ad in the Los Angeles Times: Drama Student in Need of Rm and Brd in Exchange for Housekeeping. She meets some crazy, dubious men, a few zany women, and ultimately meets Emma, the 80-year-old woman whom she moves in and both their lives change. Throughout the film, Sandra confronts her fears, pushes through her doubts, and experiences profound inner changes. The result is a stunning climax, where everything she has gained is challenged by a poignant and surprising twist of fate. Pushing Upward takes viewers on a journey of touching inspiration, hysterically funny peaks and valleys, finding passion for life’s goals and ways to triumph. Set in the early 70’s, during the spiritual revolution, when the I Ching and other eastern spiritual traditions were taking LA by storm, Pushing Upward showcases this era in a timeless way. The themes are timely. They capture the current zeitgeist central to some of the biggest conversations about women today: Self-esteem, rape, bulimia, the need for mentoring, divination, and the desire to pursue a healthy, fulfilling life in spite of an unfortunate past.