From Oldenburg to Brothers Manaki: Macedonian premiere for 'You Won’t Believe What Happened Before'

The North Macedonian feature film You Won’t Believe What Happened Before will have its domestic premiere at the closing night of the 47th Brothers Manaki International Festival of the Film Camera in Bitola, following its world premiere in the official competition at the Oldenburg International Film Festival in Germany.

Festival run: Oldenburg then Bitola

The film’s international debut is scheduled for September 16–20 at the 33rd Oldenburg International Film Festival, a long-standing European platform for independent cinema often dubbed the “European Sundance.” Its Macedonian premiere is set for the festival’s closing screening in Bitola, which runs from September 19 to 25.

“Филмот на затворањето, исто така, ќе биде македонски. Тоа е дебитантскиот филм на Срѓан Јаниќијевиќ, „Нема да ви се верува што се случи претходно“, кинематограф е Дејан Димески, еден од позначајните кинематографери од новата македонска филмографија,” said Slađan Penev, the festival programme selector.

Directed by Srdjan Janicijevic, You Won’t Believe What Happened Before is a political thriller with touches of dark comedy that centers on the struggle for truth, press freedom and the attempt to preserve personal and professional integrity in a society where politics, crime and media are deeply intertwined.

The feature was financed by the Film Agency of the Republic of North Macedonia. Executive producer is Sasho Peshev, and the picture was produced by Novo Makedonsko Video and Nju Moment. The screenplay is by Sasho Kokaljanov and Dejan Dukovski, based on an idea by the director.

The cast is led by Nikola Ristanovski and Darja Rizova, with Sashko Kocev, Sara Sandeva and Oliver Mitkovski in supporting roles. Dejan Dimeski served as director of photography; Martin Ivanov edited the film; Igor Vasilev Novogradska composed the score; production design is by Ivan Bartling; costume design by Lidija Georgieva; makeup design by Snezana Angelovska Zhivkovska; and sound design by Darko Spasovski.

Photo: press material from the event