Before Sunrise trilogy is a romantic movie released in January 1995 at the Sundance Film Festival. It is directed by Richard Linklater and it stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. When two strangers meet on a train, their life journey has just begun.
Sitting across each other are two strangers. The girl is reading French philosopher Georges Bataille’s “Madame Edwarda- Le Mort- Historie de l’oile,” whereas the boy is focused on German actor Klaus Kinski’s “All I Need Is Love.”
After sparking a light conversation, they head towards the lounge car to grab some food, where they learn the whereabouts of their respective holidays.
For instance, Céline (played by Delpy) is a French tourist going back to Paris after visiting her grandmother in Budapest, whereas Jesse (Hawke) is a voyager returning to the United States after being in Madrid.
As they begin scratching the surface of their respective personas, unfortunately, the next stop is Vienna, where Jesse will be taking his flight the next day at 9:30 am to his homeland.
Not wanting to say goodbye mid-conversation, he makes a bold proposition. That is, for her to get off the train with him and spend the day together. Bravely enough, she accepts.
So, what to do in Vienna, the largest city in Austria? Well, with no itinerary planned, they head where the wind takes them.
Their first stop is at a music store, where they listen to Vinyl records. Later on, they visit the graveyard named “Friedhof der Namenlosen.”
For Céline, it is not just another cemetery. She sees a silver lining in the nameless gravestones, which allows people to “invent the best and the worst for you.”
Next, they go to the Risenrad Ferris wheel, go to church, hit the club, and have dinner. As the night transcends, reality hits them. Namely, this could be their only night together.
“If there is any kind of magic in this world, it must be in the attempt of understanding someone.
– Céline, Before Sunrise Trilogy (1995)
It is almost impossible to succeed but the answer must be in the attempt.“
Eventually, to avoid the what-ifs in the future, they make a pact to meet again in Vienna, on December 16, 1994, exactly in 6 months. Do they keep their promise?
The beauty of “Before Sunrise” trilogy is the topics that are tackled such as childhood, religion, reincarnation, love, and traditions. All while two foreigners wander across the city.
A movie set in chronological order, unlike “500 Days of Summer.” The truth is, that everything starts with a conversation. And that could be the beginning of a lifetime journey.
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Part 2 of the “Before Sunset Trilogy” premiers 28/02.
Revisit the 1995 trailer of “Before Sunrise” movie below.
