The Broken Circle Breakdown
by Felix van Groeningen
‘The Broken Circle Breakdown' tells the love story between Elise and Didier. She has her own tattoo shop, he plays the banjo in a band. It is love at first sight, in spite of major differences. He talks, she listens. He is a dedicated atheist, although at the same time a naïve romantic. She has a cross tattooed in her neck, even though she has both feet firmly on the ground.
Their happiness is complete after their little girl Maybelle is born. Unfortunately, Maybelle, at six years old, becomes seriously ill. Didier and Elise respond in very different ways. But Maybelle does not leave them any choice. Didier and Elise will have to fight for her together.
Will you get through something like that if you are so different? Or will love let you down if you need it most?
‘The Broken Circle Breakdown' is an intense melodrama, full of passion and music. About how love can conquer fate, and sometimes not.
Felix van Groeningen (°1977) graduated with a Master Audiovisual Arts from the KASK in Ghent in 2000, with his short movie ‘50 CC'. Dirk Impens, of production studio Menuet, at the time already liked van Groeningen's stubborn talent. Funny detail: Impens was also Felix' teacher at the KASK.
Felix made a few short films and wrote and directed various theatre pieces, such as ‘Best of' and ‘Discotheque' for the theatre group Kung Fu, Victoria. In addition, he played the lead in the play ‘Aalst', also with theatre group Victoria.
After various detours through the cultural world, Felix decisively chose to return to his first love: making movies. Together with producer Dirk Impens, Felix has so far directed three full-length movies.
Filmography:
2009 The Misfortunates
2007 With friends like these
2004 Steve+Sky
Veerle Baetens - Elise
Johan Heldenbergh - Didier
Nell Cattrysse - Maybelle
Geert van Rampelberg - William
Nils de Caster - Jock
Robby Cleiren - Jimmy
Bert Huysentruyt - Jef
Jan Bijvoet - Koen
Directed by: Felix van Groeningen
Written by: Carl Joos and Felix van Groeningen
Line producer: Johan van den Driessche
Cinematography by: Ruben Impens
Editing by: Nico Leunen
Sound by: Jan Deca
Sound design by: Michel Schöpping
Production design by: Kurt Rigolle
Costume design by: Ann Lauwerys
Make up by: Diana Dreesen
Original soundtrack by: TBCB BAND directed by Bjorn Eriksson
A production of Dirk Impens | Menuet
in co-production with Topkapi Films
Format: DCP / 1:2,35 / Dolby Digital 5.1
Length: 110 minutes
Language: Flemish