Skopje, 9 December 2024 (MIA) - Two weeks after the start of the filming for "Before the Rain", the project almost fell apart. It was hard work, so I didn't think about whether the film would get to such a beautiful place. But I always believed in what I was doing, and I think it was only a matter of time before the film I was working on, once it was released, would be successful, film director Milcho Manchevski told Monday's press conference on the 30th anniversary premiere of the feature "Before the Rain". 

The Philharmonic is set to host a golden gala premiere of "Before the Rain" on Monday, celebrating its 30th anniversary. In response to a reporter's question on the film's theme and making a comparison with current developments, Manchevski said all nationalism is ugly and only leads to bad things.

"All nationalism is ugly and only leads to bad things. It's a vortex, it's a circle with no end, even though "the circle is not round". I hope that not only in our country, but in general, nationalism will not prevail," said Manchevski. 

Asked whether a sequel of "Before th Rain" is in sight, Manchevski said all the emotions, connections between the characters, even the visuals, like a triptych, are told in his other films - in "Willow", "Kajmak" and "Goodbye Copacabana", which is still in the making.

Actor Rade Serbedzija told Monday's press conference that when he started working on the film, he realized that there were many similarities between him and the main character - Aleksandar Kirkov.

Serbedzija recounted how he had met Manchevski, who then came across him several years later in London in 1992, and gave him the script for "Before the Rain" in a Soho café. 

Production designer and Oscar winner David Munns said the film deals with universal themes – one of the reasons it resonated internationally and achieved such great success, much study and reflection.

Actress Silvija Stojanovska said she feels immense gratitude for being lucky enough to be part of a timeless story in "Before the Rain", a film that even today, 30 years later, still inspires new generations of filmmakers, adding that it is a cinematic and cultural legacy that Milcho Manchevski leaves to Macedonia.

Actress Katerina Kocevska said that even after 30 years, she still carries the same joy for being a part of this film.

Director of photography Manuel Teran said "Before the Rain" has defined his career and life in general.

Editor Nick Gaster said, in terms of the editing, the challenge was to make the three parts of the film performed as one film, noting that the film was important on many levels.  

Motion picture composer Zlatko Origjanski and actress Suzana Kirandziska also addressed the press conference, highlighting the unforgettable experience of being part of "Before the Rain".

Ambassadors to the country, political and public figures will attend tonight's gala premiere of "Before the Rain". 

Photo: MIA, press release