'The Broken Circle Breakdown' will open the 39th Ghent Film Festival
18 Jun 2012
On Tuesday 9 October 2012 Felix van Groeningen's fourth feature film, 'The Broken Circle Breakdown', will open the 39th Ghent Film Festival at Kinepolis Ghent. The film is based on the eponymous play by Johan Heldenbergh, who plays the lead in the film production by Menuet, together with actress Veerle Baetens. 'The Broken Circle Breakdown' marks van Groeningen's fourth collaboration with producer Dirk Impens after 'Steve + Sky' (2004), 'Dagen zonder lief (With Friends Like These)' (2007) and 'De helaasheid der dingen (The Misfortunates)' (2009).
'The Broken Circle Breakdown' narrates the love story of Elise and Didier. She has her own tattoo shop, he plays the banjo in a band. It's love at first sight, in spite of their many, great differences. He talks, she listens. He is a convinced atheist, and in many ways also a naïve romantic. In spite of the cross tattoo on her neck she is as straightforward as they come.
Their happiness knows no bounds when their daughter Maybelle is born. But at age six Maybelle falls terribly ill. Didier and Elise respond in completely different ways. But Maybelle does not leave them any choice: they will have to fight for her life together.
Can you overcome adversity together when you are so different? Or will love let you down when you need it the most?
'The Broken Circle Breakdown' is an intense melodrama, full of passion and music. About how love can (not always) conquer fate.
View the film trailer here.
The Broken Circle Breakdown - Trailer (NL) - Felix van Groeningen from Menuet on Vimeo.
"We are very happy to be able to show 'The Broken Circle Breakdown' as our opening film", says Artistic Director, Patrick Duynslaegher. "With his fourth feature film Flemish director Felix van Groeningen confirms his reputation as one of the leading talents in European cinema. As a film maker he seems to reinvent himself with every film he makes and yet he succeeds in maintaining a unique tone and style. With 'The Broken Circle Breakdown', which is both heart-breaking and heart-warming, Felix has added a film with significant emotional maturity to his already impressive filmography. We are convinced that the premiere at the Ghent Film Festival will mark the start of a brilliant career for this film which will leave no-one unmoved." 'The Broken Circle Breakdown' is distributed by Kinepolis Film Distribution and is expected in cinemas from 10 October 2012. The 39th Ghent Film Festival takes place from 9 October up to and including 20 October at Kinepolis Ghent, Studio Skoop, Sphinx, Vooruit, KASKcinema, Caermersklooster and 't Kuipke. Tickets and information at www.filmfestival.be.