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Breaking the Waves
8.6
/10
14,400 Ratings

BREAKING THE WAVES

Directed by Lars von Trier
Denmark, France, 1996
Drama, Romance

Synopsis

In a small coastal town in Scotland, Bess, a religious young woman, falls in love with a charming oil rig worker. Shortly after they marry, an unfortunate work accident cripples him for life, which shatters Bess’s world completely—especially when he encourages her to take on other lovers.

Synopsis

In a small coastal town in Scotland, Bess, a religious young woman, falls in love with a charming oil rig worker. Shortly after they marry, an unfortunate work accident cripples him for life, which shatters Bess’s world completely—especially when he encourages her to take on other lovers.

Our take

From controversial director Lars von Trier comes the first entry in his Golden Heart trilogy, which was followed by The Idiots and the Palme d’Or winning Dancer in the Dark. Starring Emily Watson in an uncompromising performance, Breaking the Waves remains one of Von Trier’s finest achievements.