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Katrin Cartlidge, Rade Serbedzija, Gregoire Colin, Labina Mitevska, Silvija Stojanovska ... see more see more... , Phyllida Law , Peter Needham , Rod Woodruff , Joe Gould , Meto Jovanovski , Abdurahan Salja , Milica Stojanova , Jay Villiers

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 (Grégoi... read more read more...re 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

Flixster Users

93% liked it

4,893 ratings

Critics

85% liked it

13 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 55 min.

Directed by: Milcho Manchevski

Release Date: September 1, 1994

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DVD Release Date: June 24, 2008

Stats: 336 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (336)

  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    March 23, 2008
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    *On my "best of the 1990s" list.
  • fb6025506
    July 22, 2008
    fb6025506
    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.
  • bcavros
    September 11, 2010
    bcavros
    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 silen... read morece. 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.
  • Ivan6655321
    June 7, 2010
    Ivan6655321
    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 i... read morenclination 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.
  • mvieaddict
    December 26, 2009
    mvieaddict
    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 par... read moret 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.
  • Chapsky
    July 9, 2011
    Chapsky
    It doesn't matter if you are a muslim or an orthodox for the clouds. They cry for the victims on both sides... This movie clearly shows that we are just little tiny creatures on a small meteor in the endless universe. And we little creatures with big problems are looking for a ti... read moreny reason to start a war. And when the massacre begins the sides suddenly fade away. A great movie from Macedonia!
  • engrymfilm
    November 19, 2008
    engrymfilm
    This movie looks really weird sometimes. Probably the lighting and settings but the structure is cool.
  • kirkkwilliams
    August 28, 2008
    kirkkwilliams
    Masterful writing, superb acting performances, and breathtaking scenery more than make up for a substandard production finish.
    The story climax is well worth the wait, and stays with you long after the credits. After watching this film, I immediately started researching the conf... read morelict in this region, of which I was previously ignorant.
    And, once again, we are treated to another outstanding performance from a "Snatch" alum... "Sneaky fucking Russian" LOL!!!
  • writerchick1962
    June 20, 2007
    writerchick1962
    Sometimes a little difficult to follow, but worth the effort. Macedonian film dealing with the break-up of the former Yugoslavia and the racial hatreds stirred up because of it.

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Critic Reviews

Jeremiah Kipp
August 12, 2008
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. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
July 6, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Creates a scenario that it's inevitable the heavy rains will fall over the bloody land ... . Full Review

Emanuel Levy
December 13, 2005
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 violen... Full Review

Nick Davis
August 17, 2003
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
August 30, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Makes it clear that the long arm of tribal violence is stark and scary. Full Review

Alex Ramirez
July 27, 2001
Alex Ramirez, Cinenganos

Impecable. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
September 7, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Deborah Young
October 18, 2008
Deborah Young, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Rainer
February 13, 2001
Peter Rainer, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

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