Before the Rains" is a lush cinematic period piece set in the waning years of the Raj and produced in the Merchant Ivory tradition.
The story centres on the lives of a British landowner in India, his Indian right-hand man, and the landowner's love for his beautiful young servant.
The man is Henry Moores (Linus Roache), a wealthy landowner who lives very comfortably with his wife, Laura (Jennifer Ehle), and young son, Peter (Leo Benedict).
Next door lives his assistant, T.K. (Rahul Bose), who has abandoned his roots in the nearby village and cast his lot with the British.
They run a tea plantation and discover cinnamon higher in the hills. That involves the construction of a road up a steep hillside, which must zigzag its way to the top to avoid being washed away in the monsoons.
Meanwhile when Henry's wife is away he is led by his desire and ultimately into consequences beyond his control.
Starring: Linus Roache, Rahul Bose, Nandita Das
Before the Rains is released 25th July