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The mainly black-and-white film centres around
nine-year-old Buddy and his family, who live in a working-class
neighbourhood of North Belfast where Protestants and Catholics
live side-by-side.
Set in 1969 at the onset of Northern Ireland's three decades of
conflict called the "Troubles", Bobby's carefree childhood days
come to an abrupt end when tensions erupt in riots on his
doorstep, and money and health issues threaten the tranquil
family life indoors.
"It's a story that happened to me really when I was about nine
years old and it changed my life forever when a moment of
violent change affected my identity and my home and my family
and this is the story of that change," Branagh told Reuters on
the red carpet, adding that reliving the memories while making
and promoting the movie "was and is very emotional".
Belfast is all Buddy knows and to his horror, his parents,
played by Jamie Dornan and Caitriona Balfe, begin to contemplate
a fresh start abroad. As his life is turned upside down, his
grandparents, portrayed by Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinds, help
maintain a sense of normalcy with their warmth and wit.
"I know what that means, to put family first. My whole ethos and
my whole life I've put my family first," said Dornan, who grew
up in the outskirts of Belfast.
Since winning the People's Choice Award at the Toronto
International Film Festival in September, "Belfast" has become
an early Oscar frontrunner.
"At the moment, we are so happy that the film looks like it
might reach an audience, that it's punching above its weight,"
said Branagh, 60, when asked about the Oscar buzz.
"Finding an audience is the main thing ... Anything north of
that is a dazzling piece of fairy dust."
"Belfast" opens in U.S. cinemas on Nov. 12.
(Reporting by Hanna Rantala; Editing by Karishma Singh)
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