A Brief Introduction to Milcho Manchevski

Culture Trip

Macedonian filmmaker and writer Milcho Manchevski wonderfully relates the painful and tragic past of his country through his books and acclaimed films.
Born in Skopje, Macedonia, in 1959, Milcho Manchevski studied film and photography at Southern Illinois University and has published several books of fiction and two books of photographs. He has also written and directed the following feature films; Before The Rain (1994), Dust (2001), Shadows (2007) and Mothers (2010) as well as one episode of HBO’s famous Baltimore-based series The Wire. He has lived in New York since 1985.

His first feature film Pred Dozdot (Before the Rain) was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film, won the Golden Lion in Venice in 1994 and other awards in Austria, Belgium, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Poland and Russia. It is an extraordinary film comprised of three distinct episodes causally linked by the film’s narration. The first episode ‘Words’, takes place in the director’s homeland, at a monastery where a young monk finds a girl hidden in his chamber. The second, ‘Faces’, is set in London where a photo editor has to choose between a passionate love affair with a photographer and reconciling with the husband she has separated from. The third follows the photographer as he returns to his native village near Skopje. Throughout each of these stories the tragedy of the Macedonian civil war constantly interferes with the lives of the characters. None of them is exempt from the aftermath of the struggle in the former Yugoslav Republic where ethnic antipathy flares.
The stories communicate with imagery, music and structure – rather than characters’ words. It thus delivers its anti-war message in opaque and obscure ways. Additionally, the film evokes a mixture of feelings of supreme bitterness and joy. It is a painful story presented through a series of metaphors that produce ambiguous variations of meaning, and in doing so it challenges the audience’s perceptions. This is true of much of Manchevski’s works, which defy attempts at exact interpretation and instead suggest a multitude of allegorical meanings, compelling audiences to question what they have seen. Manchevski’s films have all won international awards and were screened at more than two hundred festivals and distributed in more than forty countries.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article