Broken English (1981 film)

Broken English
Directed by Michie Gleason
Produced by Bert Schneider
Written by Michie Gleason
Starring Beverly Ross
Jacques Martial
Oona O'Neill
Music by Georges Delerue
Cinematography Elliot Davis
Edited by Suzanne Fenn
Running time
93 minutes
Country  United States
Language English

Broken English is a 1981 drama film based on the theme of interracial romance. It is the only film to feature Oona O'Neill in an acting role.

Plot

Partly subtitled, the film follows the story of Sarah, who comes under fire from her family, friends and colleagues when she marries an African man, Maas. When she discovers that Maas is part of an underground group of South African freedom fighters, she must analyze her own political and sexual beliefs.[1]

Cast

  • Beverly Ross - Sarah
  • Jacques Martial - Maas
  • Greta Ronningen - Leslie
  • Mansour Sy - Cheekh
  • Oona O'Neill - Sarah's Mother
  • Frankie Stein - Cecile

  • Sandy Whitelaw - Arms Dealer
  • Hassane Fall - Amidau
  • Valérie Kling - Agency Woman
  • Michel Nicolini - Merchant
  • Serge Rynecki - Jacques
  • Réginald Huguenin - Pat
  • Makhete Diallo - Makhete

Production

Broken English was the directorial debut of Michie Gleason, who at the time was romantically involved with Terrence Malick. It was produced by Bert Schneider, whom Gleason had conflicts with; he insisted that his wife Greta Ronningen be cast in the film and pressured her to add more sex scenes.

Lorimar, the production company, refused to distribute the completed film because it was not sexually explicit enough. Schneider filed a successful lawsuit against them, but it would be his last picture as a producer. The film has never been shown or released outside of festival screenings.[2]

References

  1. http://history.sffs.org/films/film_details.php?id=694&searchfield=
  2. Biskind, Peter. Easy Riders, Raging Bulls How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999. 397-398

External links