A World Apart (1988)

Synopsis of A World Apart

Cinematographer Chris Menges' first directorial effort, A World Apart was inspired by the lives of South African journalist Ruth First and her daughter Shawn Slovo (who wrote the film's screenplay). Barbara Hershey plays the fictional counterpart to Ms. First, Diana Roth, with Jodhi May as her daughter. Told from the daughter's viewpoint, the film shows us that Diana and her husband Jeroen Krabbe are so busy with their anti-Apartheid political activism that they totally shut May out of their lives. In 1963, Hershey is arrested by the South African police, becoming the first white woman to be held under the infamous 90-day-detention act. Left despondent and suicidal by two separate arrests and by constant harassment from the police, Diana still won't include her daughter in her life until the girl presses the issue in a climactic confrontation. Some critics felt that Shawn Slovo was using A World Apart to settle unresolved issues in her own life: Ruth First was killed under suspicious circumstances in 1982, without ever reconciling with her daughter. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

113 mins

Director(s):

Chris Menges

Writer(s):

Shawn Slovo

Producer(s):

Tim Bevan, Sarah Radclyffe, Graham Bradstreet

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

PG(Violence, Adult Language, Adult Situations, Not For Children)

• 1988 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Original Screenplay
• 1988 - Cannes Film Festival - Special Jury Grand Prix
• 1988 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Actress
• 1988 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Actress
• 1988 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Actress
• 1988 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Director

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