Bluegrass is Central to Theme in New Belgian Movie

The Broken Circle Breakdown is a 2012 Belgian drama film directed by Felix Van Groeningen. It was nominated for the 2013 Lux Prize.

Based on the play written by Johan Heldenbergh, it features its writer in the main character of Didier and actress/singer Veerle Baetens as his wife Elise.

Young newcomer Nell Cattryss plays their ill daughter Maybelle. The film has been selected as the Belgian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards to be held in March 2013.

The U.S. release date has been set for November 1st to limited markets. While the music, which includes bluegrass standards like; “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn,”  “Wayfaring Stranger” “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” and more is all sung in English many of the trailers we watched included English Subtitles for the dialog.

Here’s the movie Synopsis: 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.

In addition to the well known bluegrass numbers, the film also includes some original tunes composed by Bjorn Eriksson.  We’re told that all of the music in the band scenes was actually performed by the actors and the soundtrack is exceptionally good.

*Editor’s Note: Like many new films produced today, this one includes some nudity and profanity and may be offensive to some viewers.

Here’s the theatrical release schedule for the United States:

• New York: Sunshine Cinema – opens November 1

• Los Angeles: Nuart – opens November 8

• Boston: Kendall Square - opens November 15

• Washington: E Street - opens November 15

• Philadelphia: Ritz Bourse - opens November 15

• Irvine: University 6 - opens November 15

• San Francisco: CLAY THEATER – opens November 22

• Berekely: Shattuck 10 – opens November 22

• Seattle: Varsity (TBD) – opens November 22

• Minneapolis: Lagoon (TBD) – opens November 22

• San Diego: Ken Cinema – opens November 22

• Dallas: Magnolia 5 – opens November 22

• Atlanta: Midtown Art – opens December 6

• Denver: Chez Artiste – opens December 6

• Austin: Arbor 8 – opens December 6

• Phoenix: Camelview – opens December 6

• Fort Wayne: Cinema CEnter - opens December 6

• Santa Fe: Jean Cocteau - opend December 6

• Ft Worth: Modern Art Museum – opens December 20