::harktheherald.com article::
'Heaven' not just for Mormons
HarkTheHerald.com, December 14, 2001 by Eric D. Snider
The people behind "The Other Side of Heaven," the new film based on Mormon general authority John H. Groberg's experiences as a Mormon missionary, want you to know one thing: This is not a "Mormon film. "
"This is a movie made by Hollywood filmmakers, for the world, about a Mormon," said director Mitch Davis, who adapted the screenplay from Groberg's book "In the Eye of the Storm." "Out of about 600 people involved in the film, only four are Mormon."
Those four are Davis himself, two of the producers and the film editor. The cast members are not LDS. The budget was $7 million -- small by Hollywood standards, but big for an independent film, and more than the two established Mormon films, "God's Army" and "Brigham City" cost.
"I think 'God's Army' demonstrated that there is a viable Mormon niche market out there, but this movie was not made at all for that niche market," Davis said. "This movie was frankly made for a worldwide audience, which audience we hope it will find."
Indeed, though the movie follows a young Elder Groberg on his mission to Tonga in the 1950s, there are few references to LDS doctrine. Viewers need to know only what everyone knows already anyway: that young Mormon men usually go on missions.
"If there's any religion in this movie, I would hope it comes from the spirit of the Polynesian people and not from any specific dogma preached by any of the missionaries," Davis said.
The film opens today at the SCERA in Orem and Jordan Commons in Sandy. It will spread to other theaters starting next week.
Davis is careful to point out that while few Mormons were involved in the making of "The Other Side of Heaven," it was not due to any ill will on his part. "We just auditioned the very best actors that were available," he said. "I think one or two who auditioned were LDS, but that really was not a factor for or against."
The film was shot in the Cook Islands and in New Zealand, and most of the casting was done locally -- which means there weren't many Mormon actors to
choose from anyway.
The star of the film, 27-year-old Christopher Gorham, agreed that it should appeal to a wide audience. "The movie deals with far more universal themes, like love, relationships, faith in general, faith in yourself," he said. "It's a coming-of-age story. It's about a boy who grows up."
That said, however, Mormons may find a bit more in it than others do.
"Even though the movie is not a 'Mormon movie,' I think Mormons will take something extra away from it," he
said. "Anyone who's been on a mission will certainly be flooded with memories. I think it will affect people here (in Utah) a little bit more."
Gorham appeared in the independent film "A Life Less Ordinary" in 1997, and is best known for his two seasons on TV's "Popular." He currently has a recurring role on "Felicity," where he plays "an alcoholic frat boy" -- which he suggested might balance out the "Other Side of Heaven" role as far as public opinion of him is concerned.
Davis, who is 43 and, like Gorham, a California native, said he auditioned more than 500 people for the lead role, and settled on Gorham because "he has a very gentle soul."
"It comes through in his performance, but he also adds to that a little bit of mischief and humor, which we found very endearing," Davis said. "By the time he finished his audition, I knew the part was his."
Gorham, in Utah this week to promote the film, said he learned he'd gotten the job only three days before he had to leave for the Cook Islands. "I made a mad dash to find the book, and I got it the day I was leaving, and read it on the plane," he said. "It's fascinating. It's why I took the part. It's such a great challenge, with so much happening to him as a young man."
Davis speaks passionately about the movie, which was shot over 55 days in the summer of 2000, though it was wintertime in the southern hemisphere.
"It's a movie about a beautiful people and a beautiful time in a beautiful place," he said.
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