As a director, Kenneth Branagh has never been afraid to tackle big subjects. He is best known for his Shakespeare adaptations (notably “Hamlet” in 1996)… but also for his surprising appearances in films such as Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. This year, the British actor, director, screenwriter and producer decided to tackle an even more daunting subject: his own childhood. To this end, he shot the film “Belfast”, which will be released in cinemas on November 12. Highly anticipated, it features a prestigious cast: Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe, Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds. As for the story, “Belfast” recounts Kenneth Branagh’s difficult childhood in Northern Ireland in the 1960s… A historic film, already tipped to win an Oscar next year!
Scene from the film Belfast with Jamie Dornan and Caitriona Balfe
1969, Belfast.
Buddy (played by Jude Hill) is a 9-year-old boy with a vivid imagination. Yet life in Belfast is far from easy. He and his family live a daily life marked by the “Troubles”. A context marked by the tearing apart of loyalist and republican communities, as well as Protestant and Catholic ones. The city evolves in a climate where fear and barbed wire are everywhere.
Yet Buddy’s family and his parents (played by Jamie Dornan and Caitriona Balfe) manage to make the most of the ambient context, in favor of great moments of joy and love, defying gloom with love and humor.
The film, which was produced by Focus Features and debuted at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, will screen at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival next week before hitting the big screen on December 15, 2021 in France.
Shot in black and white, “Belfast” is already shaping up to be an emotionally charged film. What’s more, Kenneth Branagh’s artistic scope has the merit of arousing enthusiasm: everyone expects a brilliant film, orchestrated with finesse and skill.
What’s more, the fact that the director tells his own story makes it all the more compelling. Not to mention the nature of the subject: talking about a family living through the sectarian era of the Troubles can only be fascinating… whether for the Irish or the rest of the World!
Kenneth Branagh himself describes the project as “.of his career. It took more than 50 years of thought and preparation before it was finally put into action..”
And the results already seem to be there. The first screening at the Telluride Film Festival met with critical acclaim. For many journalists, “Belfast” could well be a multi-award winner in the coming year.
Kenneth Branagh delivers exceptional character development, plenty of laughs and humor, and a heartbreaking ending that could melt the coldest of hearts,” said Clayton Davis of Variety magazine.
It’s enough to make you want to push open the door of a movie theater to make up your own mind!
You can watch the trailer for Branagh’s highly anticipated drama Belfast below:
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