Belgian Bluegrass

Given that the film’s soundtrack consists of bluegrass music, you’d think The Broken Circle Breakdown would take place somewhere in rural American. And yet, that’s not the case. Set in Belgium, it chronicles the love affair that takes place between a tattoo artist and a banjo player. While the movie’s anti-American sentiments haven’t gone over well with many critics who find the political statements interfere with the love story at the film’s core, the movie has received generally positive reviews and won several Magritte Awards (the Belgian equivalent of the Oscars). It shows today at 4 p.m. at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. Tickets are $9. (Niesel)