
Straight from Belgium comes a heartbreaking story of a relationship with powerfully emotional performances. Or, if you prefer –
Felix van Groeningen‘s latest movie
The Broken Circle Breakdown, which will premiere in the Panorama section at this year's
Berlinale.
How (and can) love conquer fate? Find that out in the rest of this report, because we have two videos and some great images to share with you!
Felix van Groeningen directed the movie from a script he co-wrote with
Carl Joos, and the film is based on the theatre play with the same name by
Johan Heldenbergh and
Mieke Dobbels.

Described as an intense melodrama, full of passion and music, The Broken Circle Breakdown tells the love story between Elise and Didier. But, according to director, the movie is about more than just parental love:
“It‘s about the love between two people who are extremely different and about loss: how you lose one another, whereas that‘s the very last thing in the world that you want.”

Elise has her own tattoo shop, Didier plays the banjo in a band. It is love at first sight, in spite of major differences. But can that love last forever? Check out the official synopsis:
Elise and Didier have been together for seven passionate years. When their little girl Maybelle must face a serious illness, all the turning points in their intense and moving relationship seem to flash by – love at first sight, courtship and passion, coming closer through their bluegrass music band, braving marriage, unexpected pregnancy and eventually the joy of parenthood after the birth of beautiful Maybelle.

A complete circle of happiness for this very unconventional couple… But as the stress and sorrow of Maybelle's treatment takes its toll, Didier and Elise begin to respond in different ways. They fight together for their child, as they hope love will not let them down when they need it most.

Starring
Veerle Baetens as Elise and
Johan Heldenbergh as Didier, The Broken Circle Breakdown opened in Belgium last October.
As we said – it will premiere at the Panorama section at the 63rd Berlin Film Festival, which runs from 7-17 February.
Let us know what you think about this project, and stay tuned for more!
