Uphill

Ambitious Madleen and carefree creative spirit Hugo embark on a symbolic journey up the mountain of success, exposing the tension between societal pressure and self-fulfillment. While Madleen strives to meet society’s expectations and achieve a high-status career, Hugo chooses to move through life at his own pace, guided by creativity rather than external expectations. The film invites the audience to reflect on the choices young adults face in a success-driven society and to question the decisions we make and the values we prioritize in life.

• career
• identity
• mountain
• symbolism
• coming of age
• mental health
• youth culture
• perfectionist
• burnout
• carefree
• young adult
• painter as artist
• dreamlike
• achievement
• expectations
• short film
• student film
• inner conflict
• psychological drama
• drama
• pressure
• gen z
• overthinking
• creative
• visual metaphor
• inner journey
• today's society