Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

The circularity of violence seen in a story that circles on itself. In Republic of Macedonia, during war in Bosnia, Christians hunt an ethnic Albanian girl who may have murdered one of their own. A young monk who's taken a vow of silence offers her protection.First of all, you don't see many films from Macedonia. At least, I don't. I suppose people in Macedonia may see more. But that was the first thing that struck me. But more to the point, the film is interesting for its blend of cultures and languages, and its (possibly) unique plot device of three stories that could go in more or less any order.I cannot say this was a film I truly loved, but it was one I admired. And it makes me wonder what else is out there from this same director or others involved. There is a whole world of film out there to be explored.

The movie has it all, amassing storyline with lots of great metaphors (even the title is a metaphor for forthcoming turmoil), great acting, beautiful music and colorful picture. The main storyline happens in Macedonia, but the movie is timeless and it is true for every conflict in the world, as in the movie the director in a beautiful way plays with time and places. Take any conflict in the world and you will see the same, how the violence can bring more hatred, turmoil and nothing good, and how hard can be to break this circle. But as it says in the movie the circle is not always round, it is not everything as it seems, and this circle of violence can be hardly broken. Truly a Masterpiece, and it won't be exaggerated if I say this is a movie version of Picasso's Guernica. The shapes are not easy to see, but when you see it you will understand it is stunning and it carries beautiful message.

The London segments, i.e. the segments in English, though relatively short, drag the film down somewhat; the dialogue here is clumsy. The scene with the restaurant shoot-out is absurd and stupid: a Balkan mobster starts shooting at people randomly, a place where Cartlidge - a photographer or journalist - just happens to be, telling her husband she wants a divorce. (How conveniently her problem is solved, by him getting killed there moments later!). A little too far-fetched. Serbedjija is upset with Cartlidge because she refuses to follow him to Macedonia, him having given her very short notice! What is this, kindergarten?...The rest of BTR, which revolves around a couple of small villages, is much better, but suffers from a bad case of premonitia: we know Serbedjija will get killed; it's just a matter of time. The acting and the dialogue is solid. The film's main statement - that all sides in such a conflict are equally guilty - was a wise choice for the director to make. This decision is not to be taken for granted because most directors - particularly left-wing Western ones - aren't capable of approaching any political issue in a movie in a constructive, logical, fair, intelligent, and unbiased manner.Frankly, I saw this quite a while ago, hence am not sure what I'd think about it now.

To me, this movie conveys the ESSENCE of war. The very start...Profound. Genius. This is how war happens. And it is so very, very sad.If only people could think back to this point in their very own lives (yes, you) and be less rigid and more forgiving and less focused on detailed "rules and regulations".. Each person and each action or non-action counts.Beautifully acted and beautiful, haunting music. Although I have seen it several years ago, "Before the rain" keeps coming up in my mind because of conflicts all around us in the world. Unfortunately the story is very much alive today and I'm afraid it will be for a long time.