A World Apart
A White enclave in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the 1960s. Molly Roth, 13 years old, is the daughter of leftist parents, and she must piece together what's happening around her when her father disappears one night, barely evading arrest, and, not long after, her mother is detained by the authorities. Some of Molly's White friends turn against her, and her family's friendships with Blacks take on new meaning. Relationships are fragile in the world of apartheid. How will she manage?
Insights
Plot Summary
The film is set in 1963 South Africa and tells the story of Molly, a young girl coming of age in a turbulent political climate. Her life is deeply affected by the apartheid regime, her parents' involvement in the anti-apartheid movement, and her relationships with her nanny and her uncle. It explores themes of innocence lost, political awakening, and the personal cost of resistance.
Critical Reception
A World Apart received widespread critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of apartheid and its powerful performances, particularly from the young Jodhi May. It was praised for its emotional depth and its effective depiction of the personal impact of political oppression.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its poignant exploration of childhood during apartheid.
- Lauded for strong performances, especially from its young lead.
- Seen as a deeply affecting and important historical drama.
Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's emotional resonance and its ability to convey the complexities of life under apartheid through a personal lens. Many found it to be a moving and thought-provoking experience.
Awards & Accolades
Won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival (1988).
Fun Fact
The film was shot in Zimbabwe, which was chosen for its visual similarity to the South Africa of the early 1960s, and to avoid the political sensitivities of filming in actual apartheid-era South Africa.
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