Breaking The Waves

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Awards

Academy Awards 1997 - Nominated - Best Actress

Cannes Film Festival 1996 - Nominated - Palme d'Or

Cannes Film Festival 1996 - Won - Grand Jury Prize

Cesar Awards 1997 - Won - Best Foreign Film

Academy Awards 1997 - Nominated - Best Actress

Cannes Film Festival 1996 - Nominated - Palme d'Or

Cannes Film Festival 1996 - Won - Grand Jury Prize

Cesar Awards 1997 - Won - Best Foreign Film

European Film Awards 1996 - Won - Best Actress

European Film Awards 1996 - Won - Best Film

European Film Awards 1996 - Won - FIPRESCI

Golden Globe Awards 1997 - Nominated - Best Actress in a Drama

Golden Globe Awards 1997 - Nominated - Best Picture (Drama)

Independent Spirit Awards 1997 - Nominated - Best Foreign Film

NYFCC Awards 1996 - Won - Best Actress

NYFCC Awards 1996 - Won - Best Cinematography

NYFCC Awards 1996 - Won - Best Director

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Breaking The Waves

Director:
Lars von Trier
R, 159 Minutes
 

At A Glance

Film Synopsis

Breaking the Waves is a 1996 film, set in the Scottish Highlands in the 1970s, which tells the story of Bess McNeill, who marries oil rig worker Jan, despite the apprehensions of her community and Calvinist church. She is somewhat simple, and has difficulty living without him when he is away on the oil platform. She prays for his return, and when he returns paralyzed after an industrial accident, she believes it is her fault. No longer able to make love, Jan urges her to find and have sex with other men, and then tell him the details. She slowly begins to believe that what she is doing is the wish of God.

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Details

MPAA:
Rated R for strong graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some violence.

Runtime:
159 min.

Genres:
Drama
Romance

Countries:
FRANCE
DENMARK
ICELAND
NETHERLANDS
NORWAY
SWEDEN

Language:
English/American

Color:
Color

Certification:
R

Tagline

Love is a mighty power.

 

Memorable Quotes

Bess McNeill: Everyone has something they're good at. I've always been stupid, but I'm good at this

The Minister: We do not need bells in our church to worship God.

The Minister: I would say to you that if there is one of these commandments you do not love and do not obey, you have no business at the Lord's table.

 

 

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