Milcho Manchevski returns to Tokyo festival with new dark comedy film
North Macedonian director Milcho Manchevski is competing at the Tokyo International Film Festival with his latest project, Sister Brother Manhole Cover.
Director returns after long absence
Milcho Manchevski previously won Venice's Golden Lion for his 1994 debut Before the Rain. He had paused work on this new dark comedy following accusations of corruption against his country's film agency. The project was stalled for years before reaching this stage.
Plot involves siblings and metal theft
The story follows a brother and sister who survive by stealing bronze busts and manhole covers in post-Communist Macedonia. Viktor suffers serious injuries after a job goes wrong, forcing Malina to make a deal with a crooked doctor. The siblings eventually seek shelter with the wealthy blind mother of that doctor.
Themes explore complex family bonds
Manchevski states he wanted to depict a specific kind of love between siblings that is often missing from films. He draws inspiration from traditional Macedonian songs regarding sisterly love which he describes as poignant and sometimes shocking. The characters are not ideal people but deserve understanding despite their contradictions.
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