The movie Before the Rain, directed by Milcho Manchevski, is a complex and thought-provoking film that uses a circular narrative to explore themes of violence, cultural conflict, and the cyclical nature of human behavior.
The film is divided into three interconnected stories, each set in a different location, and each exploring a different aspect of the overall theme. The first story takes place in the war-torn Balkans, where a group of Christian villagers is hunting for an ethnic Albanian girl who they believe may have murdered one of their own. The girl, who is on the run, seeks refuge with a young monk who has taken a vow of silence. The monk vows to protect her, but in doing so, becomes caught up in the violent conflict between the two communities.
The second story is set in London, where a photographic editor, Anne, is struggling to come to terms with the breakdown of her marriage. Anne is pregnant with her husband's child, but he has left her for another woman. In a moment of desperation, Anne decides to reach out to her husband and arranges to meet him at a toney restaurant. However, the meeting does not go as planned, and Anne is left feeling even more alone and isolated.
The final story returns to the Balkans and shows the aftermath of the violence that was depicted in the first part of the film. The two communities have been torn apart by hate and violence, and it seems as though there can be no reconciliation. However, a young girl offers hope for the future by symbolically washing away the blood of the past.
Throughout the film, Manchevski uses a circular narrative structure to show how the cycle of violence and conflict repeats itself across time and space. The film is beautifully shot and features powerful performances from all the actors, particularly Katrin Cartlidge as Anne and Rade Serbedzija as the monk.
Overall, Before the Rain is a haunting and powerful film that stays with you long after the credits have rolled. Its themes of violence, cultural conflict, and the possibility of redemption resonate deeply with audiences, and its circular narrative structure is both clever and effective.