One of the strong contenders for the Festroia Golden Dolphin grand prize is the competition film WORLDS APART from Danish director Niels Arden Oplev. The film, which is based on a true story, is a compelling story of a young teenage girl, whose family are committed Jehova´s Witnesses, who falls in love with a "non-believer".
Young actress Rosaline Mynster gives a passionate performance as Sara, a budding teenager who must fight the temptations of sex and partying that do not gel with her religious beliefs. When she meets Teis, a rebellious musician, she is stirred and eventually falls in love. They move in together, risking condemnation not only from her family but the church elders, who could excommunicate her as they did her older brother.
Sara is torn between her conscience, faith and passion, forced to make a choice between her love and her family, which are worlds apart. The film is based on a true story of a young woman who eventually decides to leave the faith and wrote a best selling book about her journey. The film expertly focuses on the themes of free will and opposition to religious dogma. It could be a big winner come Awards Night here in Setubal.
Sandy Mandelberger, Festroia Dailies Editor