Broken English

United Kingdom202599 minEnglish

A portrait of the inimitable singer, songwriter, and icon Marianne Faithfull.

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A portrait of the inimitable singer, songwriter, and icon Marianne Faithfull.

Broken English, which premiered at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival, is a singular tribute worthy of a singular artist — another hybrid, genre-bending piece from co-directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard (20,000 Days on Earth, 2014 Sundance Film Festival).

The filmmakers introduce us to the Ministry of Not Forgetting, a fictitious research facility where Tilda Swinton and George MacKay begin an inquiry into Marianne Faithfull’s life and career. The British iconoclast is a willing interviewee — sharp and witty. Her dynamic presence is complemented by rich archival footage and several moving performances by the singer herself, as well as Beth Orton, Courtney Love, Nick Cave, and Suki Waterhouse. Broken English is a playful and wildly original portrait of a musician who refused to conform. Gone, but certainly not forgotten. — AT

Available in person only.

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Credits

Director(s)
Jane Pollard
Iain Forsyth
Screenwriter
Iain Forsyth
Jane Pollard
Ian Martin
Producer
Beth Earl
Additional Cast
Marianne Faithfull
George MacKay
Tilda Swinton
Sophia Di Martino
Zawe Ashton
Calvin Demba
Supporting Cast
Nick Cave
Warren Ellis
Courtney Love
Suki Waterhouse
Beth Orton
Jehnny Beth
Director of Photography
Daniel Landin, BSC
Production Design
Alison Dominitz
Costume Designer
Jerry Stafford
Executive Producers
Thomas Benski
Marisa Clifford
Isabel Davis
Tim O'Shea
Marc Robinson
Victoria Steventon
Julia Xu
Co-Producer
Liam Coutts

Company
Rustic Canyon Pictures
Website
brokenenglish.film
Contact
Beth Earl
office@rusticcanyonpictures.com

Meet the Artist

Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard

Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard are award-winning artists and BAFTA-nominated filmmakers who have collaborated since meeting at Goldsmiths art school. Their bold, intimate work spans film, installation, and documentary, including collaborations with Scott Walker, Gil Scott-Heron, and Jarvis Cocker. Their first feature, 20,000 Days on Earth, won a BIFA and Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Documentary Directing and Editing Awards.

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