Before the Rain [Criterion Collection]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

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 (Gregoire 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

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 (Alternate Wide Screen)
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
• Features:
  • New, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by director Milcho Manchevski
  • Audio commentary featuring film scholar Annette Insdorf and Manchevski
  • New video inteview with actor Rade Serbedzija
  • Behind the scenes in Macedonia, a short 1993 documentary about the making of Before the Rain
  • Soundtrack selections, featuring the music of Macedonian band Anastasia
  • On-set footage, theatrical trailers, and stills galleries of production photos, storyboards, and letters
  • A selection of Manchevski's photography collection street
  • Manchevski's award-winning "Tennessee" music video
  • New and improved English subtitle translation
  • Plus: a new essay by film scholar Ian Christie

AWARDS

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

•     Nominated Best Foreign Language Film - 1994 (Milcho Manchevski)

• Independent Spirit Awards

•     Won Best Foreign Film - 1995 (Milcho Manchevski)

• São Paulo International Film Festival

•     Won Audience Award - 1993

• Venice International Film Festival

•     Won Golden Lion - 1994 (Milcho Manchevski)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Katrin Cartlidge - Anne
       Rade Serbedzija - Aleksandar
       Gregoire Colin - Kiril
       Labina Mitevska - Zamira
       Silvija Stojanovska - Hana
       Abdurahan Salja - Zekir

• Director:

  Milcho Manchevski

• Producer:

  Judy Counihan, Cedomir Kolar, Cat Villers, Sam Taylor, Paul Sarony

• Screenwriter:

  Milcho Manchevski

• Cinematographer:

  Darius Khondji, Manuel Teran

• Composer (Music Score):

  Anastasia

• Editor:

  Nicolas Gaster

• Production Designer:

  David Munns, Sharon Lomofsky

• Co-producer:

  Marc Baschet, Frederique Dumas-Zajdela, Gorjan Tizija, Gorjan Tozija

• Associate Producer:

  Sheila Fraser Milne, David Redman

• Costume Designer:

  Sue Yelland, Caroline Harris

• Makeup:

  Joan Hills, Morag Ross

• First Assistant Director:

  Mary Soan

• Casting:

  Liora Reich, Moni Damevski

• Line Producer:

  Chris Thompson

REVIEW:

• The winner of a well-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film, Before the Rain represents an impressive feature debut for its talented director, Milcho Manchevski. Essentially a political film, but told with a subtlety and attention to nuance that is often foreign to such films, Rain is sometimes challenging (especially in its not-always-obvious bending of chronology) but always rewarding. Rich in its use of symbols (especially circles representing repetition and closure and water representing purification), it is also a visually stunning film, with frequently gorgeous cinematography capturing the Macedonian landscape and bringing it to full bodied life. There's a special texture to Rain, a mystical feeling that is practically tangible. Manchevski elicits impressive performances from his international cast. Rade Serbedzija holds the screen with great power and presence, exhibiting the weariness of the character without giving in to ennui. Katrin Cartlidge is excellent as his lover, speaking volumes with a flicker of her eyes, and Gregoire Colin portrays the conflicted monk with admirable skill. Rain is not without flaws -- it is sometimes more concerned with technique, style and theme at the expense of deep character development -- but such flaws are minor. Seven years would elapse before the release of Manchevski's next film, Dust. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi