The minimalism of Belfast makes it one of the most beautiful films of the year.
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There is a lot of heart and soul in writer-director Kenneth Branagh’s latest work. He wasn’t kidding when he referred to it as his most personal one yet.
Set in 1960s Belfast, Northern Ireland, Belfast chronicles the life of a working-class Northern Irish Protestant family from the perspective of their 9-year-old son Buddy (exciting newcomer Jude Hill) during 'The Troubles' in their hometown. Buddy's father Pa (Jamie Dornan) works overseas in England, while the family—Ma (Outlander’s Caitríona Balfe), elder brother Will, and paternal grandparents Granny (Judi Dench) and Pop (Ciarán Hinds)—live in Belfast.
It is a peculiar choice to film anything in black-and-white these days considering the advanced technology the film industry has but Branagh, a man of many talents and years of experience, knew very well what he was doing when he decided to film Belfast in this format.
Not only did the film in black-and-white give off a different feeling of nostalgia and serenity, but it also added a layer of warmth that enhanced the performances of its cast, making the film all the more beautiful and powerful.
The seasoned cast members deliver some of their best work in this film – most notably Dornan, Balfe, and Hinds as Buddy’s loyal and grounded father, loving and fierce mother, and endearing grandfather respectively – but the heart of the Belfast lies with 10-year-old Hill who embodies Buddy with such finesse, you almost wouldn’t believe this is his first feature film.
Despite being set in times when Ireland was at war, Belfast is essentially an Irish love story at its foreground – made by the Irish, for the Irish – but everyone else is invited to bear witness and embrace it all the same.
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