The Other Side of Sunday

The Other Side of Sunday

Year: 1996

Runtime: 103 mins

Language: Norwegian

Director: Berit Nesheim

ComedyDrama

Known in Norwegian as “Søndagsengler”, the film critiques a small, tightly‑woven church community. It follows preacher’s daughter Maria as she struggles to break free from the oppressive religious expectations and the control of her father, seeking personal autonomy and a life beyond the rigid parish.

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Timeline – The Other Side of Sunday (1996)

Trace every key event in The Other Side of Sunday (1996) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Maria's strict religious upbringing at home

In a 1950s small town, Maria grows up under the stern rule of her priest father, Johannes Faren. He forbids almost everything that might tempt her into sin—piano, modern clothes, cosmetics—imposing a cloistered, modest life. The household centers on church attendance and rigid moral discipline. Maria absorbs this atmosphere as she quietly grows toward adolescence.

1950s, family home Family home in a small town
2

Mother's illness opens a window for freedom

Maria's mother falls ill and is treated in a hospital, removing the protective routine that had kept her under watch. With her mother's absence, Maria experiences a taste of freedom and the chance to explore a more carefree life. The absence of a parental figure at home amplifies her curiosity about life beyond the parish. The world outside the church begins to seem more inviting.

During mother's illness Home; hospital
3

Weekend plans with friends in a cabin

Seeking respite, Maria decides to spend a weekend with a few teenagers at a cabin away from town. The trip signals a shift from obedience to exploration of youth and companionship. The plan carries the weight of potential judgment from the church and family.

Weekend Cabin in the woods
4

A close moment with a boy; Maria flees

During the cabin trip, a boy gets close to Maria, triggering unfamiliar feelings she doesn't know how to manage. Overwhelmed, she runs back home rather than confronting the moment. The incident marks a turning point, hinting at desires that challenge her upbringing.

During the weekend Cabin; route home
5

Mother returns; renewed leisure, growing fatherly conflict

When her mother returns, Maria resumes spending time with her friends, continuing the carefree social life that worries her father. The renewed freedom deepens the rift with Johannes Faren, who fears Maria's virtues are slipping away. The family becomes divided by conflicting loyalties and unspoken tensions.

Post-mother's return Home; town
6

Mrs. Tunheim becomes confidante and ally

Mrs. Tunheim, a church member seen as an outsider, becomes Maria's confidante. They share secrets and find solace and even physical affection in their closeness, offering each other joy away from judgment. The bond forms in the margins of the community, where both feel seen. Their growing closeness becomes a hidden source of comfort and risk.

During the same period Church community; home
7

The priest learns of the developing relationship; he intervenes

Johannes Faren becomes aware of Maria's relationship with Mrs. Tunheim and tries to persuade her to return to virtue. He urges her to abandon the new life she has begun and rejoin the moral order of the church. Maria resists, though she does not reveal the events to others.

After discovery Home; church
8

Maria keeps silent about the incident

Frustration and fear drive Maria to keep silent about what happened with Mrs. Tunheim. She hides her feelings from family and community, bearing the burden in secret. The weight of silence isolates her further under her father's watchful gaze. The lack of a voice intensifies her internal conflict.

Post-confrontation Home; town
9

Mrs. Tunheim's suicide shocks Maria and the community

Mrs. Tunheim commits suicide, sending shockwaves through the close-knit town and shattering Maria's sense of safety. The act exposes the hidden pain behind appearances and exposes the consequences of the secret Maria kept. Maria is devastated, confronting the real cost of the events she has kept inside. The tragedy underscores the fragile line between devotion, secrecy, and despair.

After confrontation Riverbank
10

Despair yields to renewed resolve

Despite the despair, Maria gathers new courage to live and seeks to move forward. She finds strength to re-enter life, grappling with fear of judgment while choosing a path toward freedom and self-discovery. The experience, though painful, becomes a catalyst for personal growth. Her renewed resilience hints at a future she now dares to imagine.

After suicide Town; countryside
11

Farewell by the river: 'Everything between us will remain as it was'

Maria visits the riverbank where Mrs. Tunheim died to bid her farewell and to acknowledge what they shared. She tells her friend that nothing should erase their bond, and the moment becomes a ritual of acceptance and release. The river becomes a symbol of memory and transition. Her words seal the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

After suicide Riverbank
12

Ending image: walking toward a future of freedom

The film closes with Maria walking along the road, the world opening up before her. The refrain 'You're nobody till somebody loves you' echoes the idea that love and acceptance await her beyond the church’s strict walls. Her steps mark a personal choice toward independence and self-definition.

End of film Road outside town

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 12:39

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The Other Side of Sunday Summary

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The Other Side of Sunday Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Other Side of Sunday

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The Other Side of Sunday Spoiler-Free Summary

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