Ethan Hawke is looking back on a magical moment in his career as Before Sunrise celebrates its 30th anniversary. On January 27, the 54-year-old actor shared a nostalgic Instagram post featuring three images: one of him, director Richard Linklater, and co-star Julie Delpy on the movie's set, and another from its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 1995.
"This time 30 years ago, our movie Before Sunrise debuted at Sundance. Redford himself introduced it," Hawke wrote in the caption, referencing the iconic actor and Sundance founder Robert Redford.
A Timeless Love Story
Directed by Richard Linklater, Before Sunrise tells the story of Jesse (Hawke), a young American traveling through Europe, and Céline (Delpy), a French woman he meets on a train. What begins as a chance encounter leads to an unforgettable night spent exploring Vienna together before Jesse returns to the United States. The film’s heartfelt dialogue and naturalistic storytelling captured audiences and marked Linklater’s fourth outing as a director.
The Trilogy That Defined Romantic Cinema
Hawke’s Instagram post sparked admiration for Before Sunrise and its two sequels: Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013). Among the commenters was actor Topher Grace, who called it "the best trilogy of all time."
The Before trilogy follows Jesse and Céline across different stages of their lives. In Before Sunset, they reconnect years after their night in Vienna and explore the what-ifs of their fleeting connection. By Before Midnight, the pair is navigating the realities of a long-term relationship and parenthood, reflecting on their choices and evolving dynamics.
Why No Fourth Movie?
Fans of the trilogy have long hoped for another installment, but as Julie Delpy explained in a 2021 interview with Variety, she, Hawke, and Linklater decided against it.
"We all agreed that we couldn’t come up with something good for a fourth one. It’s that simple," Delpy said. "We’re not on bad terms… We just didn’t come up with a good idea."
She clarified that while they had discussed concepts for a continuation, none felt satisfying enough to pursue. "It was half of a bad idea and we were like, 'Let’s not do it,'" she added.
As Before Sunrise celebrates its 30th anniversary, it remains a landmark in romantic cinema, resonating with audiences who appreciate its authenticity and emotional depth. Hawke’s fond recollection of its Sundance debut only adds to the film’s enduring charm, proving that some stories truly stand the test of time.
