Before Sunrise is a romantic drama film directed by Richard Linklater and co-written by Linklater and Kim Krizan , and is the first installment in the Before trilogy. Inspired by personal experiences, Linklater collaborated with Krizan, who previously appeared in his films Slacker and Dazed and Confused , to develop the film's screenplay.
Casting was extensive; it took nine months for Hawke and Delpy to be cast. Principal photography took place in Vienna. The plot is considered minimalistic , consisting mostly of monologues and extended dialogue between the characters. The film explores themes and differing perspectives on life, love, time, death, self-discovery, and postmodern romance. Before Sunrise premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, , and was theatrically released in the United States eight days later.
The sequel Before Sunset was released in , and Before Midnight , the third film, was released in Alternatively, she may just realize Jesse himself is not that different from the rest. Lacking the money to rent a room for the night, they decide to roam around in Vienna until Jesse's flight the next morning. After visiting a few landmarks in Vienna, they share a kiss at the top of the Wiener Riesenrad at sunset and start to feel a romantic connection. As they continue to roam around the city, they begin to talk more openly with each other, with conversations ranging from topics about love, life, religion, and their observations of Vienna.
When they are walking alongside the Donaukanal , they are approached by a man who offers to write them a poem with a word of their choice inside.
He found a cheap flight home, via Vienna, but it did not leave for two weeks so he bought a Eurail pass and traveled around Europe. Jesse reveals that after he broke up with his girlfriend, he bought a flight that really was not much cheaper, and all he really wanted was an escape from his life. They admit their attraction to each other and how the night has made them feel, though they understand that they probably will not see each other again. They decide to make the best of what time they have left.
