The Other Side of Sunday

A fourteen-year-old girl on the cusp of adulthood, Maria rebels against the narrow expectations placed upon her by her religious father and community. Her curiosity about life beyond her strict upbringing drives the emotional arc of the film. She wrestles with guilt while seeking a sense of self.

Maria’s father, a devout priest whose authority defines the family and mirrors the town’s moral standards. He guards traditional values and fears his daughter’s perceived sin. His stance creates the central conflict between duty and personal desire.

An outsider within the church community who becomes Maria’s confidant. She shares a complicated friendship with Maria and offers emotional support amid moral scrutiny. Her secrecy and eventual tragedy reveal the costs of seeking connection in a judgmental setting.

A teenage boy who spends time with Maria during the cabin weekend. His presence catalyzes Maria’s curiosity and confusion, complicating her emotional journey. He embodies the tension between attraction and restraint in a conservative environment.

Maria’s mother, whose illness creates distance and vulnerability within the family. Her absence intensifies Maria’s longing for freedom and fuels the conflict with her husband’s moral expectations. She represents the private suffering behind a public façade.

One of Maria’s peers who participates in the shared social world outside the home. She provides a contrasting perspective to Maria’s moral struggles and contributes to the dynamics of teenage friendship and rebellion.

A fellow teenager who is part of the group that spends time with Maria. Birgit’s presence helps illustrate the social pressures and group dynamics at play among the town’s youth.

A teenage character who contributes to the social circle surrounding Maria’s experiences. Their interactions reflect the era’s expectations and the collective tension within the group.

A friend from Maria’s world who participates in the weekend’s social scenes. Her presence adds to the portrayal of female friendships under religious scrutiny.

A teen from the circle who represents the male presence in the group, contributing to the social dynamics of the cabin weekend.

Another member of the teenage group; his actions during the weekend help frame the choices Maria faces and the environment’s permissiveness.

A minor character who appears in the community setting, contributing to the realism of the town’s everyday life and the network around the church.