The Broken Circle Breakdown

The Broken Circle Breakdown
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFelix van Groeningen
Screenplay by
  • Felix van Groeningen
  • Carl Joos
Based onThe Broken Circle Breakdown by Johan Heldenbergh and Mieke Dobbels
Produced by
  • Dirk Impens
  • Frans van Gestel
  • Laurette Schillings
  • Arnold Heslenfeld
Starring
CinematographyRuben Impens
Edited byNico Leunen
Music byBjorn Eriksson
Production
company
Menuet
Topkapi Films
Distributed byKinepolis Film Distribution
Release date
  • 10 October 2012 (2012-10-10)
Running time
111 minutes
CountryBelgium
Languages
  • Dutch
  • English
  • Flemish
Box office$6 million

The Broken Circle Breakdown (also known as Alabama Monroe) is a 2012 Belgian romantic drama film directed by Felix van Groeningen, from a screenplay by van Groeningen and Carl Joos. The film is based on the stage play of the same name by Johan Heldenbergh and Mieke Dobbels. Starring Heldenbergh and Veerle Baetens, the film follows musicians Didier (Heldenbergh) and Elise (Baetens), whose relationship is tested when their young daughter Maybelle becomes seriously ill.

The Broken Circle Breakdown was theatrically released in Belgium on 10 October 2012 and grossed $6 million at the box office. The film received critical acclaim and was selected as the Belgian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards, and was on the nominated shortlist. It won Best Foreign Film at the 39th César Awards, and was also the winner of the 2013 Lux Prize.