A boy navigates growing up in the midst of uncontrollable forces in Belfast, the latest from writer/director Kenneth Branagh.
Buddy was having a pretty ideal childhood with his older brother, parents, and grandparents all providing thick layers of support for the boy. But as the late ’60s come on, their home in Belfast is changed by the Troubles, and no amount of family closeness can fend off the rising violence. Yet his life rolls on, with the regular ups and downs of Buddy’s childhood being peppered by extraordinary events.
Branagh hasn’t claimed this is an autobiographical tale, but one expects he’s pulling from his memories of growing up in the same place at the same time as Buddy. But if you think digging into real life will temper the Agatha Christie and Shakespeare aficionado’s extravagant stylings, think again. In addition to being in black-and-white, the film leans heavily on songs from Irishman Van Morrison, so it looks like Branagh will be working hard to evoke ’60s Belfast.
The central boy is played by newcomer Jude Hill, which puts quite a question mark in the middle of the film. Luckily enough he’s got a sturdy cast around him, with Jamie Dornan and Caitríona Balfe playing his parents and Ciarán Hinds and Judi Dench his grandparents. And besides, this is a Branagh movie, so even though he’s not onscreen, I’m sure his directing will put him center stage.
Belfast is directed by Kenneth Branagh and stars Jude Hill, Jamie Dornan, and Caitríona Balfe. It will be released in the US and the UK on November 12th, 2021. For international release dates, click here.
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