What happens when a girl who owns a tattoo shop gets together with a banjo player in a bluegrass band? Such is the premise of the quirky Belgian-made drama, The Broken Circle Breakdown.

Elise, played by actress/singer Veerle Baetens (The White Queen), and Didier (Johan Heldenbergh) instantly fall for each other. Their love grows as the seemingly mismatched, ideologically opposed couple discover how much they have in common—especially their taste in music. Their passionate relationship plays out both on and off stage. The two marry and have a daughter. Eventually, their love is put to the test when tragedy strikes.

Music is an important part of this film, and the stirring Bluegrass sounds provide a fitting soundtrack.

The picture was directed by Felix Van Groeningen, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Carl Joos. The project is based on the play The Broken Circle Breakdown Featuring the Cover-Ups of Alabama, by Heldenbergh and writer Mieke Dobbels.

Highly praised by critics and compared to the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line, this movie won best screenplay and best actress at the Tribeca Film Festival. It has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Since its international premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, the movie has enjoyed both critical and commercial success.

The Broken Circle Breakdown opens in limited release Nov. 1.