BEFORE THE RAINS

USA/2007/English & Malayalam dialogue with English subtitles/Colour/35mm/98 mins

In 1930s, British-ruled Kerala, ambitious British spice trader Henry Moores (Linus Roache) gets a bank loan to build a connecting road into Kerala’s hinterland, which will enhance his business. When his wife and son are away on holiday, he starts a torrid affair with his Indian housemaid, Sajani (Nandita Das). As the affair is revealed, he seeks help from his farm assistant T. K. (Rahul Bose), who belongs to Sajani’s tribe. T. K. soon finds himself caught in a terrible dilemma.

“One of India’s most highly esteemed cinematographers turns director once again, with his first English-language film (also his first US/India venture). By unfolding events that contrast the beliefs and lifestyles of the local villagers and the British colonialists, the film explores the predicament of people who straddle two cultures. The film was shot in Kerala’s picturesque Munnar hill station. Malayalam actors Thilakan, Lal Paul and Indrajith Sukumaran play key roles. ”

Starring : Linus Roache, Rahul Bose, Nandita Das, Jennifer Ehle
Director(s) :

Santosh Sivan

SANTOSH SIVAN was born in Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram, where his director/cinematographer father, Sivan, runs the Sivan Studio. He graduated in 1984 from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. He is today a sought-after cinematographer for top-rung South Indian, Hindi and international productions. He has increasingly turned to direction, starting with the short Story of Tiblu (1988), followed by the features Halo (1995), Malli (1998), The Terrorist (1999), Asoka (2001), Navarasa (2004) and Anandabhadram (2005).
Crew : Doug Mankoff(Producer), Andrew Spaulding(Producer), Paul Hardart(Producer), Tom Hardart(Producer), Mark Burton(Producer), Cathy Rabin(Scriptwriter), Steven Cohen(Editor), A. Sreekar Prasad(Editor), Mark Kilian(Composer)
Format : Colour/35mm
Running Time : 98 mins
Country : United States
Programme : a celebration of indian cinema
Venue : Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Souk Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Theatre
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