Before the Rain (Pred dozhdot) (1994)

85% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
93% of users liked it
(4,893 ratings)

Milcho Manchevski's first feature film is a three-part story of the violence and political chaos tearing apart the newly independent nation of Macedonia (former Yugoslavia). In part one, Kiril (Grégoire Colin), an Orthodox monk, encounters Zamira (Labina Mitevska), a Muslim from Albania. Zamira is… More Milcho Manchevski's first feature film is a three-part story of the violence and political chaos tearing apart the newly independent nation of Macedonia (former Yugoslavia). In part one, Kiril (Grégoire Colin), an Orthodox monk, encounters Zamira (Labina Mitevska), a Muslim from Albania. Zamira is frightened and has nowhere to go, so Kiril lets her stay in his cell, knowing that if the authorities find her, his peaceful life will be shattered. The second segment, set in London, concerns Anne (Katrin Cartlidge), married to stable but boring Nick (Jay Villiers) but enjoying an affair with Macedonian photographer Aleksander (Rade Serbedzija); Anne is trying to decide if she should stay with Nick or leave with Aleksander, before unexpected events make the decision for her. The conclusion follows Aleksander back to Macedonia; while he's tired of photographing war, he finds no sanctuary in his home town, as Christians and Muslims wage war and he accidentally causes the death of innocent bystanders. Before the Rain received an 1995 Academy Award nomination as Best Foreign Language Film. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Milcho Manchevski
Written By: Milcho Manchevski
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Sep 1, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Jun 24, 2008

Critic Reviews

Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
If it's only as politically savvy as a college term paper, it's also as gritty as an old-school western.
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
What it loses in novelty and subtlety it makes up for in its earnest depiction of love and individual human decency in the face of societal cruelty.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Creates a scenario that it's inevitable the heavy rains will fall over the bloody land ... .
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Dealing with the Balkan wars, this ambitious and compassionate art film interweaves three stories (one set in London) that contrast the calm beauty of the Macedonian landscape with the harowing violence that erups within its borders.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
Unfortunately not the masterpiece I hoped for, but still a thought-provoking trio of intertwined stories set in the war-torn Balkans.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Makes it clear that the long arm of tribal violence is stark and scary.
Alex Ramirez, Cinenganos
Impecable.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael S

*On my "best of the 1990s" list.
Sheldon C

A very deep film that emphasized the inescapability of violence; I thought this film was wonderfully shot including a great storytelling arc and brilliant structure to the entire plot.
Bill C

A well crafted tale with BBC level production value. The end effect is to show how pervasive persistent and wide stretching the conflict between Christians and Moslems is still today. The movie centers around 4 main characters. A Eastern Orthodox monk who has taken a vow of silence. A… More
A well crafted tale with BBC level production value. The end effect is to show how pervasive persistent and wide stretching the conflict between Christians and Moslems is still today. The movie centers around 4 main characters. A Eastern Orthodox monk who has taken a vow of silence. A young Girl he falls in love. His Female cousin who is a photographer and her lover (Rade Serbedzia) most memorable as a bad guy from several movies including MI-2 and the Saint. A tale told in three down beat non-linear parts. I really have to stop watching foreign subtitle movies after a long day of work. Maybe it was me, but I did not feel any investment in the characters. Several of the main characters die on camera in a fairly graphic manor it adds to the plot, but I was not really into the characters anyway.
Ivan D

As serious and sensitive the issues touched by this film be, it contains beautiful, almost optimistic cinematography to perfectly contrast its brutal themes concerning ethnic clashes. Milcho Manchevski, like Kubrick, has mastered the film's "mise en scene" by way of his… More
As serious and sensitive the issues touched by this film be, it contains beautiful, almost optimistic cinematography to perfectly contrast its brutal themes concerning ethnic clashes. Milcho Manchevski, like Kubrick, has mastered the film's "mise en scene" by way of his earlier inclination for still photography. Another highlight of "Before the Rain" is its circular chronology that somehow intertwines in the end, but was still broken into smaller pieces to further the film's message about, or more specifically, against the idea of violence. At first glance, who would really care about a film about the Macedonian problem? But what really captivated humble viewers of films is its message that does not limit itself in the coasts of Macedonia, nor the unreachable premises of European cinema. It exceeds language barriers and served as a cautionary tale for both on-going and surging civil conflicts.
Daisy M

Before the Rain brought the war miseries in the former Yugoslavia perfectly.The beauty of this movie was not only in the look of war, but it was a perfect example of time circle.It was amazing what director Manchevski accomplished with this wartime drama. The first and third part… More
Before the Rain brought the war miseries in the former Yugoslavia perfectly.The beauty of this movie was not only in the look of war, but it was a perfect example of time circle.It was amazing what director Manchevski accomplished with this wartime drama. The first and third part were set in the former Yugoslavia and was more touching and authentic.Alexander Kirchov a prize winner photographer returned to his homeland after 16 years and witness the war in his village.The director showed us the meaning of the movie title, like something heavy was about to happen, before the rain.The story did not deal with the political aspects,but more human passion and it could lead in different and unexpected directions and how that could affect lives regardless where you are. Beautiful.