In recent weeks, the southern parts of India have been enveloped in an unusual amount of rain, courtesy of the northeast monsoon. The persistent showers have sparked mixed feelings – while some enjoy the romanticism often associated with rains, others perhaps find it challenging due to the accompanying power outages and leaks in buildings. However, what remains indisputable is that filmmakers, globally, have long revered rain as a potent motif in films, crafting narratives that weave in the downpour as an essential backdrop or even a character in their stories.
A name that stands out in this regard is renowned Japanese filmmaker Makoto Shinkai. His passion for rain is evident across his works, particularly in two of his celebrated anime films. “The Garden of Words” unfolds a near-romance between a teenage boy and an older woman who find solace from the storm in a tranquil Shinjuku park. Meanwhile, “Weathering With You” showcases a young orphan girl with the extraordinary ability to control the weather, portrayed against a backdrop of mesmerizing rain sequences in Tokyo. Both films exemplify Shinkai’s adeptness at using animation to transform the city into an ethereal environment, where the rains add a layer of enchanting escapism.
Hollywood, too, has a storied tradition of leveraging the moody and sometimes ominous presence of rain in thrillers. Among the finest examples is David Fincher’s masterpiece “Se7en”, where the relentless storms cease only with the villain’s capture, marking the end of his terror. Other notable films include Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island” and Matt Reeves’ rendition of “The Batman”, where rain serves as a crucial atmospheric element. Denis Villeneuve’s excursions into the rain with films like “Blade Runner 2049”, “Prisoners”, and “Arrival” (Ridley Scott’s original “Blade Runner” being a worthy predecessor) further illustrate Hollywood’s engagement with rain-soaked settings. Even James Mangold’s “Identity” capitalizes on an endless deluge to fashion its mystery, enveloping the narrative in tension and intrigue.
Across the globe in South Korea, Bong Joon-Ho showcases his astute use of rain as a narrative and thematic device.
. In “Memories of Murder”, rain heralds fear and misfortune, signifying the presence of a killer who strikes under its cover. Conversely, in his acclaimed “Parasite”, a torrential downpour and subsequent flooding serve to unravel the social strata, exposing the underlying class disparities between two families central to the plot. Films like “The Host” and “Mother” further evidence Bong’s proficiency in utilizing rain to influence plot points and highlight themes.
Closer to home in the Indian subcontinent, rain has been an evocative symbol in many cinematic masterpieces. In south India, Mani Ratnam’s “Kannathil Muthamittal” is set against lush, rain-drenched landscapes, culminating in a heart-rending climax under the strains of AR Rahman’s “Vellai Pookal”. Likewise, “Raavanan” is almost a cinematic ode to the ceaseless rainfall amidst the jungle setting of the film. Arivazhagan’s 2009 horror-thriller “Eeram” also employs the ambiance of rain effectively, accompanied by the haunting tune “Mazhaiye Mazhaiye”.
Beyond the region, Indian cinema at large frequently uses rain to deepen storytelling. Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Kaminey”, Mohit Suri’s “Aashiqui 2”, and Anurag Basu’s “Life in a Metro” all incorporate memorable rainy-day sequences. Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine as Light” captures both the allure and chaos of Mumbai’s monsoon season, while Malayalam films such as Dileesh Pothan’s “Maheshinte Prathikaram” parallel the protagonist’s emotional arc with the oncoming showers. Padmarajan’s “Thoovanathumbikal” employs rain as a metaphor for love and longing, flooding the screen each time its central character is swept by the tides of passion.
As filmmakers continue to craft rain-inspired narratives and audiences revel in the allure and complexity rain brings to films, one can’t help but contemplate the sheer diversity in interpretations and cinematic representations of this natural phenomenon. For those enchanted by a good rain sequence, these films offer a wealth of storytelling woven seamlessly with the rhythm of the rains. However, as for rain songs – that’s a tribute for another time.
