Expressing Every Emotion Through Music

The film follows the passionate lives of a cowboy-dreaming musician and a tattoo artist. "The Broken Circle Breakdown" portrays their intense love affair, their differing tastes and personalities brought together through the vibrant sounds of bluegrass. It became an unprecedented hit for an independent film in Belgium and was selected as the country's entry for the 86th Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Directed by Felix Van Groeningen, known for his acclaimed "The Misfortunates," the film stars Belgian actors Veerle Baetens and Johan Heldenbergh as the central couple.

Remarkably, all the bluegrass music featured throughout the film was performed by the actors themselves. By conveying emotion directly through both their acting and their musical performances, they draw the audience into a profoundly moving experience.

A Single Tragedy Changes Everything

Elise is an emotional woman with deep religious convictions, working as a tattoo artist and running her own studio. Didier is an anarchist who dreams of being a cowboy, playing banjo in a bluegrass band and traveling around Belgium in a caravan.

The two fall in love, and Elise begins singing with Didier's band. They eventually marry and have a child, enjoying a period of blissful happiness. However, their world is shattered when their beloved daughter falls gravely ill, putting their love to the ultimate test.

The Broken Circle Breakdown
Opening March 22nd (Saturday) in theaters nationwide
Director | Felix Van Groeningen
Cast | Veerle Baetens, Johan Heldenbergh, Nell Cattrysse
Distribution | Espérance & Cie
2012 | Belgium, Netherlands | 111 min
http://o-bluesky.com
© 2012 Menuet/Topkapi Films