MARIANNE & LEONARD: WORDS OF LOVE is a beautiful yet tragic love story between Leonard Cohen and his Norwegian muse Marianne Ihlen. Their love began on the idyllic Greek island of Hydra in 1960 as part of a bohemian community of foreign artists, writers and musicians. The film follows their relationship from the early days on Hydra, a humble time of ‘free love’ and open marriage, to how their love evolved when Leonard became a successful musician.

It was on Hydra in 1968 that director Nick Broomfield, then aged 20, first met Marianne Ihlen. Marianne introduced him to Leonard Cohen’s music and also encouraged Nick to make his first film and was an enormous influence on him. Marianne and Leonard's was a love story that would continue for the rest of their lives. Along the way, we learn of the tragedy that befell those that could not survive the beauty of Hydra, the highs and lows of Leonard’s career, and the inspirational power that Marianne possessed.

"A masterly evocation of a beautiful love story. The range of archive material was profound, from the early shots of Marianne on the boat in Hydra, to her death bed when being read Leonard's last love letter. In all, it deepens our understanding of Leonard while in no way being intrusive on some very private moments." - Tony Palmer

The film has been screened at film festivals and cinema theatres around the world in 2019. DVD release by Dogwoof (UK) on October 14, 2019. Run time: 97 minutes