Before the Fall

A meteor is approaching the earth in three days and all life will be extinguished, but one family has a more pressing fear -– a deranged and vengeful killer just released from prison is headed their way in this original apocalyptic thriller.

Before the Fall is one of the more unexpected films in the festival; a dazzling hybrid of end-of-the-world science fiction, bloody western-style thriller and a family drama. The result is a wholly original thinking-person’s genre film. The leaders of the world announce that a huge meteor is expected to hit the earth in 72 hours, guaranteeing to destroy all life on the planet. For the people of a remote Spanish village, they respond to the apocalyptic news like the rest of the world – with panic. And chaos ensues. But one family of four children headed by their young uncle Ale (Victor Clavijo) faces another, more immediate and terrifying threat: from a recently ex-con psychopath bent on bloody revenge. As the meteor slowing approaches, the uncle must protect the children from the menacing stranger. Winner of the Audience Award at the 2008 Berlin Film Festival, this shocking thriller is scheduled to have an American remake under the direction of Wes Craven. (Spanish with English subtitles) — Raymond Murray