Manchevski frames the film as a story of 'great love and unconditional acceptance that is not erotic,' positioning his anti-heroes as defiant survivors rather than victims of poverty.
Insiders are buzzing about the bizarre premise of stealing bronze busts and manhole covers, wondering if this dark comedy will capture the same lightning in a bottle as his Oscar-nominated 'Before the Rain.'
Variety debuted the trailer on October 1, 2026. The film is handled by Coccinelle Film Sales, led by Francesca Breccia, and will be sold at Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market.
This is a high-stakes return to Tokyo for a director with serious pedigree, betting that absurdity and heart can still sell tickets in a crowded festival market.
Milcho Manchevski is back in the festival spotlight, and he is bringing the receipts. The Macedonian director, who famously took home the Golden Lion at Venice for 'Before the Rain,' has confirmed that his new feature, 'Sister Brother Manhole Cover,' will world premiere in the main competition at the Tokyo International Film Festival. This isn't just another arthouse flick; it is a calculated move by a filmmaker who knows exactly how to navigate the international circuit, returning to Tokyo where his previous film, 'Kaymak,' also bowed in competition.
The premise is undeniably weird, which is exactly why we are watching. The dark comedy centers on Malina and Viktor, a sister and brother scraping by on the fringes of Macedonian society. To survive, the duo engages in a bizarre criminal enterprise: they pilfer bronze busts and manhole covers.
Manchevski describes the pair as having 'plenty of attitude,' refusing to identify as victims despite their hand-to-mouth existence. The plot thickens when their chaotic path collides with a wealthy, blind elderly woman whose mix of hardness and kindness forces the siblings to examine their own moral compass. Leading the cast are Sara Klimoska and Filip Trajkovikj, with Sonja Mihajlova also on board.
Jane Kortoshev is producing the project, which has already attracted significant industry attention before its premiere. Francesca Breccia’s Coccinelle Film Sales is handling international distribution, with sales set to begin during Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market. The timing is strategic, positioning the film for maximum visibility among buyers just as the trailer drops exclusively via Variety.
Manchevski has a history of earning critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for best foreign-language film for 'Before the Rain,' as well as the Fipresci Prize. His later works like 'Dust' and 'Mothers' kept him in the conversation, but 'Sister Brother Manhole Cover' feels like a return to his roots of combining social realism with surreal elements. The director explicitly stated his interest in telling a story of 'great love and unconditional acceptance that is not erotic,' suggesting a deep emotional core beneath the absurdity of stolen infrastructure. Whether this tonal balance lands in Tokyo remains to be seen, but the pedigree ensures it will be a must-watch.
