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The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open (2019): Cast & Ratings

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open (2019) movie poster

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open is a 2019 drama starring Violet Nelson as Rosie, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and Barbara Eve Harris. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Canadian Feature Film, Honourable Mention at the TIFF 2019. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 87 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
award nomination
1
Echo Score
78
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The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open About?

The premise of The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

When their lives unexpectedly intersect, two women embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery. One woman struggles with a past marked by trauma and hidden secrets, while the other seeks a path towards freedom and renewal. Through their connection, they confront the challenges and complexities of their individual experiences in a deeply moving drama.

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open Themes & Keywords

· 14 tags
  • long title
  • toronto international film festival
  • native canadian
  • first nations
  • indigenous
  • aboriginal
  • domestic violence
  • eight word title
  • f rated
  • triple f rated
  • written and directed by cast member
  • directed by co star
+2 more
  • actor director writer
  • written by director
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Cast & crew

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open Cast & Characters

Violet Nelson leads the cast as Rosie, with Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers as Áila and Barbara Eve Harris as Sophie.

Also Starring in The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open

· 6 more
Ratings

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 87 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

78 /100

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open Echo Score Breakdown

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open presents a largely positive critical appraisal for its authentic execution and character work, though its deliberate pace divides audience response. Critics praise the immersive long takes and thematic depth, citing the real-time structure as a novel approach to explore privilege and resilience. Some viewers, however, note the absence of dramatic peaks and find the progression slow at times. Overall, the film's measured strengths in craft and performance contribute to a commendable impression despite its limited replay appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    The film's artful direction and cinematography are key strengths. Critics note the use of extended real-time takes to cultivate an immersive environment. While some viewers found the handheld approach and shaky camera unsettling, many pointed to the commitment to authenticity and seamless long takes as hallmarks of its visual strategy. On balance, the controlled framing and organic staging underscore a compelling visual identity.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film excels in conveying authentic experiences through its leads. Reviews emphasize the nuanced expressions and organic chemistry between the two protagonists. Occasional criticisms arise regarding indistinct line delivery in some scenes, but the earnest performances foster emotional resonance and insight into their shared ordeal. Overall, the film’s portrayals achieve a genuine and affecting depth.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, the film offers an intimate narrative structure anchored by a real-time unfolding of events. Observers praise its unconventional pacing and thematic depth, highlighting representation and intersectional nuances. However, remarks about the film’s slow progression and absence of dramatic crescendos suggest that engagement may vary among audiences. Ultimately, the story delivers a contemplative experience that balances subtlety with meaningful insight.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In the realm of sensory experience, the production employs long takes and naturalistic sound design to reinforce realism. The uninterrupted sequences draw attention to ambient details and foster an immersive atmosphere. Nevertheless, some viewers report discomfort with handheld motion and minimal visual embellishment, which can challenge sustained attention. Despite this, the film’s restrained aesthetic and cohesive audio-visual choices contribute to a cohesive sensory environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s authentic performances and thematic layers offer moments worth revisiting. Its understated style and emphasis on lived reality may reveal additional nuance on further viewings. Conversely, the deliberate pacing and minimalistic conventions can limit broader replay appeal for audiences seeking dynamic variation. In sum, the film retains a moderate level of lasting intrigue for viewers drawn to realist cinema.

Plot

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open Plot Summary

What happens in The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The movie unfolds through a series of poignant vignettes, introducing us to Rosie, a young woman of the Kwakwaka’wakw nation, and Áila, who is of Blackfoot and Sámi descent. Rosie finds herself in an incredibly difficult situation, being pregnant and living with her abusive boyfriend and his mother. In a contrasting narrative, Áila visits a medical professional to have an IUD inserted, representing her pursuit of stability and control over her own body.

Full summary

The whole story of The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Awards

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open Awards & Nominations

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open earned 1 award nomination, including Best Canadian Feature Film, Honourable Mention at the TIFF 2019.

1 nomination1 ceremony

  • Toronto International Film Festival logo
    TIFF 2019 1 nomination
    • Nominated Best Canadian Feature Film, Honourable Mention
Videos

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 teaser and 1 clip.

The Body Remembers When The World Broke Open - Teaser - SFF 19
  • Clip THE BODY REMEMBERS WHEN THE WORLD BROKE OPEN Clip | TIFF 2019
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What cultural backgrounds do the main characters, Rosie and Áila, represent?

Details

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “身体记着世间何时崩裂” and “Тело помнит, когда мир развалился”.

Also known as
  • 身体记着世间何时崩裂
  • Тело помнит, когда мир развалился
  • 세계가 깨어져 열릴 때

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FAQ

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open FAQ: Cast & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open?

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open released?

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open was released on November 22, 2019.

Who is in the cast of The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open?

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open stars Violet Nelson as Rosie, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers as Áila and Barbara Eve Harris as Sophie, among 10 credited actors.

How is The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open rated?

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 87 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.

Was The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open nominated for any awards?

The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open have a post-credit scene?

No. The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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