The sequel to the 2001 film “The Other Side of Heaven” will be released on June 28. Chronicling the real-life missionary experiences of Elder John H. Groberg, “The Other Side of Heaven 2” is again directed by Mitch Davis, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Faculty, a student and Elder Groberg himself said the next part of the story is worth telling.
According to ChurchofJesusChrist.org, John H. Groberg grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and the turning point in his life came when he was called to serve a three-year mission in Tonga. He is now an emeritus member of the Quorum of the Seventy.
John H. Groberg said, “President Monson asked me to write the two books about my time in Tonga as a missionary, one being 'In the Eye of the Storm,’ now ‘The Other Side of Heaven’ and as mission president, ‘The Fire of Faith.’ He, [President Monson], felt these experiences needed to be told so this part of Church history would be not forgotten.”
He added, “Having movies made of them (the books) is really a tribute to President Monson's vision.”
The original film was released in 2001 by Walt Disney Pictures and starred Christopher Gorham as Elder Groberg and Anne Hathaway as his wife, Jean Sabin. The main cast from the first film will be returning for the sequel, with the exception of Anne Hathaway.
Along with being the inspiration for the new movie, John H. Groberg and his two sons, John E. and Tom, have brief cameo appearances. According to Tom Grober, “We, [the Groberg family], also supplied various photos from the time for reference. Other than that, the family has not been involved unless the producers asked us specific questions.”
Of the events depicted in both movies, John H. Groberg commented, “All events are true, but often two or three events are combined into one as are some characters and timelines.” John H. Groberg has not seen the film yet, but according to his son, Tom, “the producers promised to stay as close to the books, and we trust they will.”
Feki Pouha, the vice president of Student Development and Services, is the grandson of Feki, John H. Groberg’s companion during his missionary service. In the original film, Feki is portrayed by New Zealand actor Joe Folau. Folau will be returning for the sequel.
When asked about films being made about his grandfather and John H. Groberg, Pouha said “It is a tremendous blessing to have a part of my family history connected to the record of the faithful service of Elder John H. Groberg and my grandfather Nafetalai Feki Pouha. I look forward to seeing the movie sequel as I believe it is patterned after the ‘Fire of Faith’ book Elder Groberg wrote.
“My grandpa, Feki, and I did not meet on this side of the veil, but from what my family shared about him, they claim that he was much more handsome in real life than in the movie,” Pouha joked.
“Kidding aside, the way Christ-centered living and service is portrayed in ‘The Other Side of Heaven’ and presumably the sequel is an honorable tribute to Elder and Sister Groberg, Grandpa Feki, Tongan culture, and anyone striving their best to come to God.”
According to Georgina Sefeti, a freshman from Fiji majoring in intercultural peacebuilding, a second film is necessary “Because Elder Groberg built a relationship and trust with the people of Tonga. The first movie only showed a little of the story.
“The Lord needed Kolipoki to be in Tonga. There was still work needed to be done and the work had to move forward and to be taken to another level where the people had to practice what they have learned. The people had to learn how to share the gospel. And there should be another movie to show the rest of Elder Groberg’s story.”
In an interview about the movie for the Spring 2019 issue of the BYU Magazine, director Mitch Davis says, “Stories are immortal; stories last. When you tell a story well, whether it be in the oral tradition or the written word, be it an oil painting or song, it becomes a living thing and lives its own life and goes about the world doing good or bad.
“Groberg, who was known as ‘Kolipoki’ to the people he served with in Tonga, served as an inspiration to Sefeti. According to her, ‘I think ‘The Other Side of Heaven’ is inspiring to those who struggle to exercise their faith in God. I, for one, sometimes lose that faith in God. This is because I get carried away with the knowledge I have and not rely on the Lord. ‘The Other Side of Heaven’ is a movie which inspired us [members of the Church] to trust in the Lord and not rely too much on the knowledge we have.’”
Sefeti said her favorite scene in the original movie is when Groberg, a new arrival in Tonga, read the scriptures for several days to learn the language. Of the scene’s significance, she said, “It tells us the scriptures are a way to learn and understand a language. It also shows how faith without works is dead in a visual medium.
“He, [Elder Groberg], did his part by learning the language and because of this, the Lord opened his mind and heart to communicate with the people so he may be able to connect with them and build the kingdom of God. It is so important for the second part to be seen, and I am excited to see it.”
“The Other Side of Heaven 2” will be shown at theaters worldwide, including the Laie Palms Cinema.
Writer: Elijah Hadley