Made with her full support, Broken English is an intimate and unflinching exploration of a fractured yet unbreakable life shaped by fame, creative genius and relentless public scrutiny. A genre-defying portrait of resilience and rebellion, a final fearless declaration, Marianne Faithfull’s defiant swan song.

With a cast led by Tilda Swinton and George MacKay, the film follows the pair as they take on the roles of investigators within the framework of ‘The Ministry of Not Forgetting’, a poetic construct committed to rescuing cultural memory from oblivion. Faithfull becomes its first ‘subject’ rendered through a deeply intimate tapestry of interviews, archival footage, and soundscapes.

In addition to her last recorded performance, Broken English showcases intimate contributions from her friends and long-time collaborators, including Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Courtney Love, Suki Waterhouse, Beth Orton, and Jehnny Beth. Additional cast include Zawe Ashton, Calvin Demba, and Sophia Di Martino.

A lightning rod for fame, scandal, and reinvention, Marianne Faithfull was more than just a muse. She was the face of a generation, and the voice that cut through it. Vilified by the press, underestimated by the industry, she endured heartbreak and addiction, yet never lost her edge, or her truth, releasing over 35 albums while constantly reinventing herself.

Director Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard
Year 2025
Duration 1h 39m
Language English
Cast Marianne Faithfull, Tilda Swinton, George MacKay