One winter’s night in a Slovak mountain resort, customers gather in a nightclub seeking laughter, flirtation and fun. As the alcohol flows the evening unfolds in unpredictable ways, revealed through snatches of conversation and often absurd encounters.
Using improvisation and multi-camera shooting, the film achieves a remarkable intimacy. But under its charming surface, it offers a sharp critique of life under communism, as the characters gradually reveal their unfulfilled dreams, insecurities and disappointments.
Long suppressed, Before Tonight is Over is now regarded as one of the undiscovered gems of Slovak cinema.
Extras
Presented from an HD transfer of a new 2K restoration supervised by the Slovak Film Institute.
A Conversation About Peter Solan and His Film ‘Before Tonight Is Over’ (2020): a new filmed appreciation of the film with Martin Kaňuch and Rastislav Steranka.
Two short films reflecting the locale and milieu of the film:
Operation BL (Akcia BL, 1959)
High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry, 1966)
Booklet with new writing on the film by Peter Hames.