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MONEY
Did you know
Earned back only 28% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
The Burning Plain
"Their passion has marked them for life."
2008 1h 51m EN
👍
6.6
SOLID
★6.6TMDB · 479
DramaRomanceCrime
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
A trailer is burning in the middle of a plain. The bodies of two adulterous lovers are found. Scenes from both families, before and after the dramatic events, suggest an unusual connection between them. But what is their secret?
“Their passion has marked them for life.”
Cast
Charlize Theron
Sylvia / Mariana
Kim Basinger
Gina
Jennifer Lawrence
Young Mariana
Joaquim de Almeida
Nick Martinez
John Corbett
John
Robin Tunney
Laura
Fernanda Romero
Sophie
Brett Cullen
Robert
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Guillermo Arriaga
- Writers
- Guillermo Arriaga
- Languages
- Spanish, English
- Countries
- Argentina, United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 8
ERA
Did you know
Released 18 years ago.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Spanish, English.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
International production across 2 countries: Argentina, United States of America.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by Guillermo Arriaga, shot by Robert Elswit. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by Hans Zimmer. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Craig Wood shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
8 / 8
CAST
Did you know
Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger and Jennifer Lawrence carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr · trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Guillermo Arriaga directs. Robert Elswit behind the camera. Hans Zimmer scores. Craig Wood cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in Argentina, United States of America. Dialogue in Spanish, English.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 1Earned back only 28% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
- 2Released 18 years ago.
- 3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Spanish, English.
- 4International production across 2 countries: Argentina, United States of America.
- 5Directed by Guillermo Arriaga, shot by Robert Elswit. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 6Original score by Hans Zimmer. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 7Editor Craig Wood shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 8Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger and Jennifer Lawrence carry the top of the cast.
- 9Marketing tagline: "Their passion has marked them for life.".
- 10IMDB entry: tt1068641 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Robert Elswit
- Original score
- Hans Zimmer
- Editing
- Craig Wood
- Production design
- Dan Leigh
- Costume design
- Cindy Evans
- Makeup / hair
- RaMona Fleetwood
- VFX supervisor
- Jamie Hallett
- Stunt coordinator
- Peewee Piemonte
- Runtime
- 111 min · 1h 51m
- Aspect ratio (typical)
- 1.37:1 (Academy)
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $20,000,000
- Box office
- $5,642,478
- Return
- 28% of budget
- Original language
- EN
- Certification (US)
- R
Also by
Guillermo Arriaga
Stills · wallpapers
Selected frames
Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Production companies
Who made it
Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation
US
2929 Productions
US
- CO
Costa Films
AR
Key crew
- Stunt DoubleShauna Duggins
- ProducerLaurie MacDonald
- ProducerWalter F. Parkes
- Music EditorJoanie Diener
- Music SupervisorAnnette Fradera
- Music SupervisorDana Sano
- Script SupervisorBrooke Satrazemis
- CastingDebra Zane
- EditorCraig Wood
- Production DesignDan Leigh
- Art DirectionNaython Vane
- Set DecorationWilhelm Pfau
- Set DecorationRon von Blomberg
- Costume DesignCindy Evans
- Art Department CoordinatorAlex Klaue
- Special Effects CoordinatorDavid Fletcher
- CastingKathryn Brink
- CastingLana Veenker
- Casting AssociateTannis Vallely
- Casting AssociateLori Lewis
- Assistant Costume DesignerLisa Parmet
- Costume SupervisorBarcie Waite
- Set CostumerNikki Bartnick
- Set CostumerJuliet Hyde-White
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- waitress
- forbidden love
- single father
- extramarital affair
- abandoned by mother
- mother daughter relationship
Release history · US
When it landed
- Premiere2008-10-27· Savannah Film and Video Festival
- Theatrical (limited)2009-09-18R
Also known as
International titles
- The Burning Plain - Il confine della solitudineIT
- Loin de la Terre BruléeFR
- MegváltásHU
