When director Richard Linklater brought Before Sunrise to the Berlinale in 1995, he had no idea he was about to create something truly iconic. What started as a small, intimate film about two young people meeting on a Eurail train and exploring Vienna together for a single night turned into a beloved trilogy spanning decades. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy brought the characters of Jesse and Celine to life, making audiences fall in love with their deep conversations, fleeting moments of romance, and the bittersweet uncertainty of life.
A Modest Start That Became a Classic
"We knew it was a risk making this film, but that's why we did it on a low budget," Linklater admitted during a festival press conference. At just $2.5 million, Before Sunrise was a small production with big ambitions. The gamble paid off—Columbia Pictures took the film under its wing, and it became a surprise indie hit, grossing an impressive $22.5 million worldwide. As if that wasn’t enough, Linklater walked away from Berlinale with the Silver Bear for Best Director, a nod to the film’s charm and craftsmanship.
It was the start of something special. Though no one knew it at the time, Before Sunrise was only the beginning of Jesse and Celine’s story.
A Surprise Follow-Up Almost a Decade Later
Nine years after audiences first saw Jesse and Celine part ways on that Vienna train platform, Linklater returned to the Berlinale in 2004 with Before Sunset. This time, the story took place in Paris, following Jesse—now an established writer—and Celine, as they reconnected over a single afternoon. The tension was palpable. Would they pick up where they left off? Had life already moved on without them? The real-time storytelling, a signature of the trilogy, made every moment feel urgent and real.
Once again, audiences and critics alike were enthralled. Hawke and Delpy’s chemistry had only grown stronger, and the film resonated deeply with anyone who had ever wondered about the road not taken.
Completing the Trilogy with Before Midnight
Fast-forward another nine years, and Linklater returned to Berlinale once again in 2013—this time to complete the trilogy with Before Midnight. Unlike the dreamy romance of the first film or the tension-filled reunion of the second, Before Midnight explored the challenges of long-term commitment. Jesse and Celine, now a couple with children, found themselves in Greece, navigating the highs and lows of a relationship that had finally moved beyond fantasy and into reality.
It was a raw, emotional, and at times, painful look at love. Critics praised it for its honesty, and THR critic John DeFore captured the film’s essence perfectly: Before Midnight “offers the possibility that the couple’s odds-defying relationship will end in a one-day conflagration of pent-up resentment and parental guilt. … Turns out, that's as dramatic as a ticking clock.”
But Before Midnight wasn’t just another film screening at Berlinale. It came with a special surprise. Festival director Dieter Kosslick presented Linklater with the Berlinale Camera trophy, an honor recognizing those who have made a significant impact on the festival. It was a moment that cemented Linklater’s connection to Berlinale, a festival that had been home to the Before trilogy for nearly two decades.
Linklater and Hawke: A Creative Partnership That Continues
Just because the Before trilogy wrapped up didn’t mean Linklater and Hawke were done working together. Their creative partnership has continued to flourish. This year, they are set to return to Berlinale yet again with Blue Moon, a musical drama produced by Sony Pictures Classics. In the film, Hawke steps into the role of songwriter Lorenz Hart, promising yet another compelling performance.
It’s rare to see a director and actor collaborate so consistently over the years, but Linklater and Hawke have proven time and again that they bring out the best in each other. From the philosophical musings of Jesse to the intense storytelling of Boyhood and beyond, their artistic connection remains one of the most enduring in independent cinema.
Why the Before Trilogy Still Matters
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Timeless Storytelling: The beauty of the Before trilogy is how real it feels. It’s not about grand, sweeping gestures or over-the-top drama. It’s about the conversations we have, the choices we make, and the people who shape our lives.
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Chemistry That Feels Authentic: Hawke and Delpy don’t just act; they embody their characters. Their improvised dialogue and natural performances make Jesse and Celine feel like people we actually know.
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The Passage of Time as a Character: Few films dare to use time itself as a storytelling device the way Linklater does. Seeing the actors age in real-time across three films adds depth and authenticity that few other movies achieve.
Looking back, it’s remarkable how Before Sunrise, a small, low-budget film, blossomed into one of the most cherished trilogies in modern cinema. It was never planned as a franchise, never meant to be a box office juggernaut. And yet, its impact is undeniable.
The Before trilogy isn’t just a set of romance films. It’s a meditation on love, time, and what it means to truly know someone. And thanks to Berlinale, it will forever be linked to the magic of the festival that helped bring it to the world.
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