'Broken English'

Source: Global Constellation

‘Broken English’

EXCLUSIVE: Global Constellation has secured key deals on Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard’s Marianne Faithfull documentary Broken English, ahead of the film’s UK premiere at BFI London Film Festival on Saturday, October 11.

The film has sold to Vue Lumière for the UK & Ireland, with the distributor planning a nationwide theatrical release in 2026 and awards campaign.

Further deals are for Australia & New Zealand (Madman), Benelux (Paradiso Films), Germany (Plaion), Switzerland (Xenix), Austria (Polyfilm), Spain (Filmin), Portugal (Midas Filmes), Scandinavia & Baltics (NonStop), Poland (Against Gravity), and former Yugoslavia (MCF Megacom).

I Wonder Pictures acquired Italian distribution rights prior to the film’s world premiere out of competition at Venice Film Festival in August. US rights are currently in negotiation, with Cinetic Media representing North America.

Filmed in the final years of Faithfull’s life before her death in January aged 78, Broken English captures the singer, poet and icon as she reflects on art, survival and legacy.

The film combines the documentary form with acted roles, with Tilda Swinton and George MacKay playing investigators within the framework of The Ministry of Not Forgetting, a poetic construct committed to rescuing cultural memory from oblivion, which takes Faithfull as its first subject. Zawe Ashton, Calvin Demba and Sophia Di Martino are also among the cast.

The film includes Faithfull’s final performance, and has contributions from friends and collaborators including Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Courtney Love, Suki Waterhouse, Beth Orton, and Jehnny Beth.

Broken English is produced by Beth Earl for US company Rustic Canyon Pictures. Executive producers are Thomas Benski, Marisa Clifford, Isabel Davies and Tim O’Shea for Magna Studios, Marc Robinson for Globe Originals, Julia Xu for Q&A Entertainment, and Victoria Steventon.

Eve Gabereau, director of distribution at Vue Lumière, said, “Broken English is a powerful and compelling film with standout performances and universal appeal.”

The film is Vue Lumière’s second pickup this week, after LFF closing title 100 Nights Of Hero.

 

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