The Broken Circle Breakdown (2012)

Elise and Didier fall in love at first sight, in spite of their differences. He talks, she listens. He's a romantic atheist, she's a religious realist. When their daughter becomes seriously ill, their love is put on trial.

Director:

Felix van Groeningen

Writers:

Johan Heldenbergh (play), Mieke Dobbels (play)

Stars:

Veerle Baetens, Johan Heldenbergh, Nell Cattrysse

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 37 wins & 25 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Johan Heldenbergh	...	Didier Bontinck / Monroe
Veerle Baetens	...	Elise Vandevelde / Alabama
Nell Cattrysse	...	Maybelle
Geert Van Rampelberg	...	William
Nils De Caster	...	Jock
Robbie Cleiren	...	Jimmy (as Robby Cleiren)
Bert Huysentruyt	...	Jef
Jan Bijvoet	...	Koen
Sofie Sente
Ruth Beeckmans	...	(as Ruth Beekmans)
Jan Hammenecker	...	Doctor
Blanka Heirman	...	Denise
Kirsten Pieters
Yves Degryse
Dominique Van Malder

Storyline

Elise and Didier fall in love at first sight. She has her own tattoo shop and he plays the banjo in a bluegrass band. They bond over their shared enthusiasm for American music and culture, and dive headfirst into a sweeping romance that plays out on and off stage - but when an unexpected tragedy hits their new family, everything they know and love is tested. An intensely moving portrait of a relationship from beginning to end, propelled by a soundtrack of foot-stomping bluegrass, The Broken Circle Breakdown is a romantic melodrama of the highest order.

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Plot Keywords:

bluegrass music | male full frontal nudity | bluegrass | atheist | tattoo | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes love can conquer fate. Sometimes not.

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Winner of Best Foreign Film at the 39th César Awards. It was also the winner of the 2013 Lux Prize.

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Quotes

Didier Bontinck: [preaching] Well, still one god to go! Still one god to go! Still one god to go.

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Connections

Referenced in L'incertitude des choses (2013)

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Soundtracks

Over in the Gloryland
Traditional
Performed by The BCB Band

User Reviews

deep touched

today i saw this little masterpiece about love & death at the berlinale filmfest. at the huge friedrichstadtpalast with 1500 people inside, many of them were crying. it was such a great trip the whole movie. at the end there were 10min standing ovations for the filmmakers. everyone was deep touched by the story, great acting and such good music. the music is full of pain, you could cry the whole day. camerwork is well balanced and the picture quality is really good. the editing was a big surprise. it jumps between past and present without confusing the audience. it generates many dramatic moments. chapeau felix van groeningen & team.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Site

Country:

Belgium Netherlands

Language:

Flemish English Dutch

Release Date:

10 October 2012 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

The Broken Circle Breakdown

Filming Locations:

Ghent, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,100, 3 November 2013

Gross USA:

$175,058

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,990,754

Company Credits

Production Co:

Menuet Producties, Topkapi Films, Belgacom

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1