A World Apart (1988)
- Starring:
- Barbara Hershey, Jodhi May, (more)
- Director(s):
- Chris Menges
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
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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, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 113 mins
Complete Cast:
- Barbara Hershey - Diana Roth
- Jeroen Krabbé - Gus Roth
- Paul Freeman - Kruger
- Linda Mvusi - Elsie
- Albee Lesotho - Solomon
- Carolyn Clayton-Cragg - Miriam Roth
- Rosalie Crutchley - Mrs. Harris
- Mackay Tickey - Milius
- Adrian Dunbar - Le Rouzx
- Margaret Hogan - History Teacher
- Jack Buckell Band
- Lovemore Majaivana and the Zulu Band
- Messias Choir
- Henry Mlauzi
- Phyllis Naidoo - Saeeda
- Andre Proctor - Arresting Officer
- Stephen Williams - Arresting Officer
- Susie Figgis
- Jodhi May - Molly Roth
- David Suchet - Muller
- Tim Roth - Harold
- Yvonne Bryceland - Bertha
- Nadine Chalmers - Yvonne Abelson
- Merav Gruer - Jude Roth
- Kate Fitzpatrick - June Abelson
- Andrew Whaley - Interrogating Officer
- Jude Akuwidike - Priest
- Jo-Anne Huckle - Debbie
- Esma Levend - Whitworth
- Theresa Memela - Peggy
- Cont Mhlanga - Mtutuzeli Nzekwu
- Clement Muchachi - Sipho
- Maria Pilar - Spanish Dance Teacher
- Toby Salaman - Gerald Abelson
- Nomaziko Zondo - Thandile
- Director(s):
- Chris Menges
- Writer(s):
- Shawn Slovo
- Producer(s):
- Sarah Radclyffe, Tim Bevan, Graham Bradstreet
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Adult Situations, Adult Language, Violence, Not For Children)
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1988 - A World Apart - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Original Screenplay
- 1988 - A World Apart - Cannes Film Festival - Special Jury Grand Prix
- 1988 - A World Apart - Cannes Film Festival - Best Actress
- 1988 - A World Apart - Cannes Film Festival - Best Actress
- 1988 - A World Apart - Cannes Film Festival - Best Actress
- 1988 - A World Apart - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Director
