A Film With Bluegrass Music, Themes, and Culture In Its Bones

Maybe it’s because Broken Circle Breakdown – the Belgian Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Film a couple of years back – isn’t a feel-good film in the tradition of O, Brother, Where Art Thou. Maybe it’s because BCB had its moment a couple of years ago, and people have since moved on.

Whatever it is, I don’t understand why my fellow bluegrass fans aren’t sharing videos from the film’s soundtrack on a regular basis.

It can’t be because all y'all haven’t seen the movie, can it?

Can it?

Do yourself a favor and take a look – whether for the first time, or all over again. BCB has bluegrass themes, tunes, and culture deep in its bones. The passion and skill with which these European actors interpret American bluegrass and country music is tremendously satisfying.

In this clip, the film’s two lead characters offer a heart-rending version of Townes Van Zandt’s “If I Needed You”.