Holiday drama in the Algarve: friendship, infidelity and new paths!

Holiday drama in the Algarve: friendship, infidelity and new paths!

On May 15, 2025, the German feature film “Sleepless in Portugal” will premiere, a work from 2021 that deals with friendship, infidelity and personal development. The main characters are Livia, played by Ulrike C. Tscharre, and Richard, played by Barry Atsma. Together with their neighbors Amira (Melika Foroutan) and Martin (Oliver Mommsen) they have been vacationing in a holiday home in the Algarve for years. But this year the quartet is faced with unexpected challenges.

Amira is unable to work and Livia discovers Richard's affair, which leads to a rethink. Instead, Livia and Martin decide to travel alone with the children. This decision opens up new possibilities as they realize that despite their long-standing friendship, they barely know each other. While they try to make the best of their situation, the unexpected arrival of Amira and Richard occurs, which significantly changes the dynamic of the group. The film is based on a book by Sathyan Ramesh and was directed by Florian Froschmayer.

Cheating on vacation – a social phenomenon

The film addresses a social phenomenon that, according to studies, also reflects the reality of many travelers. During vacation, many people take the opportunity to switch off and recharge their batteries. Some are even looking for summer love or a short-term romance. Vacation Guru reports that almost every second person cheats on vacation. This applies not only to singles, but also to married people.

The appeal of cheating on vacation lies in the lack of commitment and the ability to hide an affair from your partner because you are in a new environment. Cruises in particular are a popular place for affairs, even if your partner is on board. In addition, holiday countries such as Spain, the Caribbean and Türkiye are hotspots for cheaters, often due to the relaxed beach atmosphere.

“Sleepless in Portugal” brings such emotional and moral conflicts to the screen and shows how vacation can be a time not only for relaxation, but also for complications. The film therefore focuses not only on the private, but also on the social tensions that always affect holidaymakers.

Overall, the film offers a deep insight into human relationships and what happens when familiar ground begins to falter. The complex dynamics between friendship and love are skilfully portrayed, while the reality of cheating on vacation is often suppressed by society, but still remains present.

You can find further information on the topics covered in the film in the ARD media library: here.