WEDNESDAY 19 NOV – H 18:00 – ROOM 5

BREAKING THE WAVES
DENMARK, SWEDEN, FRANCE – 1996 – color – 158’

Direction: Lars von Trier
Screenplay: Lars von Trier, Peter Asmussen
Cinematography: Robby Müller
Editing: Anders Refn
Production design: Karl Júlíusson
Music: Joachim Holbek
Costumes: Manon Rasmussen
Cast: Emily Watson (Bess), Stellan Skarsgård (Jan), Katrin Cartlidge (Dodo), Jean-Marc Barr (Terry), Udo Kier (fishing vessel capt.), Adrian Rawlins (Dr. Richardson), Jonathan Hackett (priest), Phil McCall (grandfather), Mikkel Gaup (Pits), Roef Ragas (Pim), Sandra Voe (mother), Sarah Gudgeon (Sybilla)
Producers: Vibeke Windeløv, Peter Aalbæk Jensen
Production: Zentropa Entertainments
Italian distribution: Movies Inspired

Synopsis
In the early 1970’s a naive girl, Bess, living in a small community on the North West of Scotland, falls in love with oil-rig worker and man-of-the-world Jan. Despite local opposition they marry. Jan returns to the rig, whilst Bess counts the days to his homecoming sure that their love is made in heaven, especially as she is convinced she can mentally communicate with God. When an accident renders Jan paralysed he is worried that Bess will cut herself off from a normal life. Realising that he will be bedridden, he convinces her that she will aid his recovery by taking a lover and relating to him their sexual acts.

critical note
“Not many movies like this get made, because not many filmmakers are so bold, angry and defiant. Like many truly spiritual films, it will offend the Pharisees. Here we have a story that forces us to take sides, to ask what really is right and wrong in a universe that seems harsh and indifferent. Is religious belief only a consolation for our inescapable destination in the grave? Or can faith give the power to triumph over death and evil? Bess knows.”
(Roger Ebert, November 29, 1996,Chicago Sun-Times)

main awards and festivals
1996 Festival di Cannes– Competition: Grand Prix
1996 European Film Awards: Film of the Year, Best Actress, Fipresci Prize
1997 César Awards: Best Foreign Film
1997 London Critics Circle Film Awards: Emily Watson British Newcomer of the Year
1997 Oscar: Emily Watson nominated as Best Actress