Hello. Here is today's movie.
A WORLD APART
In June, 1963 South Africa, Molly
Roth is upset because her father has to flee the country to avoid arrest for
his anti-apartheid activities. Molly wants to enjoy a normal middle class life,
but her mother, Diana Roth works for an
anti-government newspaper and is so involved in her work that Molly doesn’t
think she pays attention to her. Molly sees where her Mom keeps secret
documents hidden in her desk. Molly is friendly with their maid Elsie, but wonders
why Elise's brother Solomon comes to see her mother. The police raid a mixed-race party held on Diana’s birthday May
4, 1964. [20:16 to 24:24]. The other girls at Molly’s private school start
abusing her because of her father. One morning her mother takes Molly to a
protest march. One day her grandmother picks her up at school and when they
return home find that the police are searching the house and her mother is
being arrested. Molly is heartbroken and upset. Diana is held in solitary
and Molly refuses to go to school. Diana resists interrogation and when Molly
returns to school, everyone ignores her except for her one friend, Yvonne. Soon
even Yvonne tries to distance herself and her family keeps her away from Molly.
One day Molly goes with their maid Elsie to her home in Soweto and attends a
protest meeting led by Solomon. The
police come, break up the meeting and arrest Solomon. Then her grandmother has
to go away for a rest and Molly has to go to boarding school. Muller tries to
get Diana to confess. Molly and her sisters finally get to see her mother.
Diana is let out after 90 days, but is immediately rearrested. Diana tries to
kill herself and so is released to 24 hour house arrest. Then Elsie gets word
that her brother Solomon has died in police custody. Molly finds her mother’s
hidden suicide note. She and her mother have an emotional argument about her
suicide attempt and Molly’s feelings of being ignored. They both go to
Solomon’s funeral, even though Diana is not supposed to leave the house. At the
end Molly raises her fist in the Black Power salute along with her mother,
signifying she has finally come to accept and support what her parents are
doing. The police arrive to arrest
everyone at the funeral.
A very good political drama and
coming-of-age story. The film tells the story of the anti-apartheid movement,
while also telling the story of a girl who grows up. Molly finally come to
realize that neither her country nor her parents are perfect.
At 1:25 we are told this film is
based on a true story. Diana Roth is a fictionalized version of Ruth First. At
23:52 we are told it’s Diana’s birthday. Ruth First was born on May 4, 1925.
Director - Chris Menges
Producer - Sarah Radclyffe
Starring –
Jodhi May as Molly Roth
Jeroen Krabbé as Gus Roth
Barbara Hershey as Diana Roth
Linda Mvusi as Elsie
Nadine Chalmers as Yvonne Abelson
Kate Fitzpatrick as June Abelson
Tim Roth as Harold
Carolyn Clayton-Cragg as Myriam Roth
Yvonne Bryceland as Bertha
Merav Gruer as Jude Roth
Paul Freeman as Kruger
Rosalie Crutchley as Mrs. Harris
Adrian Dunbar as Le Roux
David Suchet as Muller
Nomaziko Zondo as Thandile
Albee Lesotho as Solomon Mapusa
Screenplay - Shawn Slovo
Released - June 17, 1988
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