We are really happy to report on the US release of the soundtrack for
THE BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN, The November 1st theatrical release from
Tribeca Film and
Belgium’s official selection for the
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
The album, which is
the top-selling soundtrack of all time in its home country of Belgium, is available TODAY on
iTunes,
Amazon, and other digital platforms from Republic Records.
The film’s composer
Björn Eriksson created the footstomping soundtrack by adapting traditional bluegrass songs, writing original material, and creating new arrangements from popular songs written by
Bruce Springsteen,
Lyle Lovett,
Townes Van Zandt,
Larry Cordle,
Betty Key,
Larry Shell,
A.P. Carter,
John Bellar and
Leslie Phillips.
The soundtrack’s U.S. release comes in advance of its national theatrical rollout which begins on November 1, 2013. The soundtrack is an energetic collection of classic bluegrass songs as performed by The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band, a touring band that formed out of the film’s production.
The soundtrack was crafted by the film’s composer Björn Eriksson, who took existing bluegrass songs and created new arrangements while also writing new songs for the film. Lead actors Veerle Baetens and Johan Heldenbergh perform their own songs and are part of the off-screen Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band, whose European tour is sold out through 2014.
The full band also includes Eriksson, Nils De Caster (violin, mandolin, vocals), Karl Eriksson (banjo, vocals), Thomas De Smet (bass) and Bert Van Bortel (guitar, madolin, vocals).
“Bluegrass is integrated in a variety of ways into the story and forms the intrinsic link between all the main issues that appear in the film,” director Felix Van Groeningen said on the film’s music. “We have tried to let the songs find their spot in the scenario in a more organized manner and by doing so, give them the greatest possible dramatic impact. Sometime a song is purely narrative and helps to tell the story or is even used as an ellipsis. In other places, we select a given song because it underpins the emotions.”
The press release describes the plot like this:
The Broken Circle Breakdown is the story of Elise (Veerle Baetens) and Didier (Johan Heldenbergh), who 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. The Broken Circle Breakdown is an intensely moving portrait of a relationship from beginning to end, propelled by a soundtrack of foot-stomping bluegrass.
The Broken Circle Breakdown opens theatrically on November 1, 2013 with a national rollout in the weeks to follow and we'll be reviewing it right here on the After Movie Diner review blog.
So watch this space!
A full tracklisting for the soundtrack can be found below:
The Broken Circle Breakdown (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
1. Will the Circle Be Unbroken – The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band
2. The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn – The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band
3. Dusty Mixed Feelings - Björn Eriksson
4. Wayfaring Stranger – The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band
5. Rueben’s Train – The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band
6. Country In My Genes – The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band
7. Further On Up The Road – The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band
8. Where Are You Heading, Tumbleweed? - Björn Eriksson
9. Over In The Gloryland – The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band
10. Cowboy Man – The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band
11. If I Needed You – The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band
12. Carved Tree In - Björn Eriksson
13. Sandmountain – The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band
14. Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us – The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band
15. Blackberry Blossom – The Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band
The soundtrack can be streamed on Spotify HERE
I have been listening to it and it's fast becoming my favourite album of 2013!
The Broken Circle Breakdown Theatrical Opening Dates:
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
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
Portland: Regal Fox Tower – opens December 6
San Jose: Camera 3 Cinema – opens December 6
Fort Wayne: Cinema Center - opens December 6
Santa Fe: Jean Cocteau - opens December 6
Monterey: Osio Cinemas – opens December 6
Santa Cruz: The Nickelodeon – Opens December 6
Ft Worth: Modern Art Museum – opens December 20
Columbus: Gateway Film Center – opens January 17
We here at The Diner, having got suitable Once/Oh Brother Where Art Thou vibes from the soundtrack album and digging it immensely, can't wait to watch the film. We'll be reviewing it and reporting on it further as the days pass, this is definitely one to watch/listen to!
The Trailer:
Why don't you tell us in the comments what your favourite soundtrack album is, we'd love to hear from you!!
