Belfast - My thoughts đ
Belfast - Dir. Kenneth Branagh
âBelfastâ is about a young boy growing up in Northern Ireland in the late 1960s, with a city on the brink of rioting and violent turmoil with the Irish protestants fighting with predominantly British isle catholics which bring the countryâs messy history to the surface. Instead of focusing solely on the political tensions of this tumultuous time, the director Kenneth Branagh chooses to provide a semi-autobiographical account of his childhood in the aforementioned city. The film is framed from a childâs perspective, in this case through the eyes of Buddy played by Jude Hill who gives a lovely performance. He lives with his older brother, and Ma and Pa played by Jamie Dornan (in a more emotionally mature role to date) and Caitriona Balfe (known for her role in the âOutlanderâ series). His father spends much of his time working in England. The wonderful Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinds as Granny and Pop also fill the busy working class household. While âBelfastâ is not heavy on story, itâs about all those little experiences that make up life whilst growing up, yet set against a fearfully uncertain political backdrop. Itâs this innocent hue of nostalgia Branagh has embedded in his film which will be winning with audiences. The memorable soundtrack to âBelfastâ also includes many songs by Van Morrison.
