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Belfast (film)

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Belfast is a 2021 British coming of age comedy-drama film written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. The film stars Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan, and newcomer Jude Hill. The film, which Branagh has described as his "most personal film", centres on a young boy's childhood amidst the tumult in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at the end of the 1960s.[4]

Belfast
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKenneth Branagh
Written byKenneth Branagh
Produced by
  • Laura Berwick
  • Kenneth Branagh
  • Becca Kovacik
  • Tamar Thomas
Starring
CinematographyHaris Zambarloukos
Edited byÚna Ní Dhonghaíle
Music byVan Morrison
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 2 September 2021 (2021-09-02) (Telluride)
  • 21 January 2022 (2022-01-21) (Ireland and United Kingdom)
Running time
97 minutes[1]
Country
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20–25 million
Box office$21.3 million[2][3]

Belfast had its world premiere at the 48th Telluride Film Festival on 2 September 2021; shortly thereafter, it won the People's Choice Award at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival. The film was released in the United States on 12 November 2021 by Focus Features,[5] and in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 21 January 2022, by Universal Pictures. It received positive reviews from critics and has, so far, grossed just under $21.3 million worldwide.

Branagh's film was named one of the best films of 2021 by the National Board of Review and tied with The Power of the Dog for a leading seven nominations at the 79th Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama; the film won a Golden Globe for Best Screenplay. It also drew with Steven Spielberg's West Side Story for a leading eleven nominations at the 27th Critics' Choice Awards, including Best Picture. The movie also received six nominations at the 75th British Academy Film Awards.

Plot

The film chronicles the life of a working class Northern Irish Protestant family from the perspective of their 9-year-old son Buddy during The Troubles in Belfast, Northern Ireland.[6] Buddy's father Pa works overseas in England, while the family—Ma, elder brother Will, and paternal grandparents Granny and Pop—live in Belfast.

On 15 August 1969, a group of Protestants stage a riot on Buddy’s street, attacking homes to intimidate the local Catholics. In response, the townspeople set up a barricade on the street to prevent their return and Pa returns home from England to check up on the family’s wellbeing. The family attends church, where the minister delivers a harsh fork in the road speech; the rhetoric is continually reflected upon by Buddy throughout the film. Buddy develops feelings for a fellow high-achieving Catholic classmate, Catherine, and they eventually become friends.

Local criminal figure and sectarian rabble-rouser Billy Clanton approaches Pa demanding his involvement for "the cause"; when Pa refuses, he becomes aggressive and continues to incessantly approach Buddy. Meanwhile, the family struggles to pay off their accumulated debts. Pa dreams of emigrating to Sydney or Vancouver, a prospect met with distress from Ma. However, she can no longer deny the option of leaving Belfast as the conflict worsens and Pa is offered a promotion and housing deal in England from his employers. They attempt to discuss the matter with the boys, but Buddy breaks down at the thought of leaving.

Buddy and local girl Moira attempt to steal chocolates from a sweet shop, but the plan goes awry. When later questioned by the police, Buddy does not reveal his co-conspirators. Following this, Moira recruits Buddy into her local gang, who participate in a looting of a supermarket. A reluctant Buddy is coerced into stealing a box of laundry detergent before he returns home and informs Ma of his activities. Ma berates him and drags both Buddy and Moira back to the ongoing looting in order to return their stolen items. Billy then appears and takes them hostage as leverage for his own escape. Pa, Will and the army arrive at the scene to end the riot. This initiates a standoff with Billy who attempts a shootout until Pa and Will manage to disarm him. Billy is then promptly arrested and swears retribution.

Realising that they are no longer safe in Belfast, the family decide to leave for England. Before departing, Buddy bids farewell to Catherine. He later laments whether he could have pursued a future with her despite the fact she was a Catholic. Pa responds that it shouldn’t make any difference and, as Granny watches, the family boards a bus headed for the airport. The film ends with Granny being left alone after the death of her husband and the departure of her children and grandchildren.

Cast

Production

Kenneth Branagh started working on the film in March 2020.[7] In July 2020, Branagh announced that he would write and direct the film.[8] In September 2020, Judi Dench, Caitríona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds and Jude Hill joined the cast of the film.[9]

Principal photography began in September 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.[10][11] Filming initially took place in and around London, before moving to Belfast.[9][10] The entire film was shot in seven weeks.[12] Production concluded by October 2020.[13] The film was shot in black and white.

The film features music by Belfast native Van Morrison, including eight classic songs and a new song Morrison wrote for the film.[14]

Release

Belfast had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on 2 September 2021[15][16] where it became the festival's most often-screened film of that year.[17] It also screened at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on 12 September 2021, where it won the People's Choice Award.[18] By the end of its run, it will have screened at film festivals in Chicago,[19] Hamburg,[20] London,[21] Middleburg,[22] Mill Valley,[23] Philadelphia,[24] San Diego[25] and Vancouver.[26] It held its Los Angeles premiere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on 8 November 2021.[27] The film was released on 12 November 2021 through Focus Features in the United States, and on 21 January 2022 in Ireland and the United Kingdom through Universal Pictures.[5][28]

Reception

Box office

As of 6 February 2022, Belfast has grossed $7.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $13.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $21.3 million.[2][3]

In the United States and Canada, Belfast was projected to gross around $1 million from 588 cinemas in its opening weekend.[29] It went on to debut to $1.8 million, finishing eighth at the box office.[30][31] It averaged $3,111 per-venue, one of the best of figures of 2021 for an indie total; 73% of the audience was over 35.[32] In its second weekend the film fell 47% to $940,000.[33] The film made $1.3 million over the five-day Thanksgiving frame, including $958,770 in its third weekend, finishing eleventh.[34][35][36] In its twelfth weekend, the film had an expansion to 200 theaters, grossing an estimated $120,000.[37]

The film had a strong debut in the United Kingdom and Ireland with $3.1 million in its opening weekend.[38]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 87% based on 280 reviews, with an average rating of 7.8/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "A deeply personal project for writer-director Kenneth Branagh, Belfast transcends its narrative deficits with powerful performances and directorial craft."[39] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 76 out of 100, based on 52 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[40] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale, while 79% of filmgoers at PostTrak said they would definitely recommend it.[32]

Reviewing the film, Kevin Maher of The Times gave it 5/5 stars and wrote: "It's a film of formal beauty, letter-perfect performances, complex and textured writing (also from Branagh) and enough comedic one-lines and Van Morrison musical montages to make you forget that you are watching a drama about seething sectarian hatreds".[41] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian also gave the film 5/5 stars and addressed it as "a seductive piece of myth-making from Branagh".[42] Writing for TheWrap, Steve Pond praised the performances of Dornan and Balfe, and said: "The film feels true in the way it must be exploring Branagh's memories of a tumultuous and confusing time, and the way it pays tribute to a vibrant community as that community is irrevocably changed."[43] Stephanie Zacharek of Time said that it was hard to resist the film's affectionate energy.[44] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly said that "Branagh's genuine affection and nostalgia for his subject suffuse the movie; if only the misty romanticism of his story could match it" and gave the film a "B–" score.[45]

David Ehrlich of IndieWire, who gave the film a "C" grade, wrote: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, and this scattershot crowd-pleaser renders them both in such broad strokes that it seems as if Branagh can only imagine the Belfast of his youth as a brogue-accented blend of other movies like it."[46]

Accolades

Main article: List of accolades received by Belfast (film)

At the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival, the film won the People's Choice Award.[47] On 11 October 2021, it was announced that newcomer Jude Hill would be put forward in the Best Actor award at the 94th Academy Awards in 2022 while the remaining key cast members – Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan and Ciarán Hinds – have been entered into the Best Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor categories.[48] The Best Narrative Feature award at the Middleburg Film Festival[49] went to Belfast. Kenneth Branagh won a 2022 Golden Globe for Best Screenplay.

References

  1. ^ "Belfast". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Belfast (2021)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Belfast (2021)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  4. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (16 December 2020). "Kenneth Branagh's Drama 'Belfast' Lands at Focus Features". Variety.
  5. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (17 March 2021). "Focus Features Sets Fall Release For Kenneth Branagh's 'Belfast'". Deadline.
  6. ^ Heaf, Jonathan (15 November 2021). "Jamie Dornan: 'I am still paying penance for Fifty Shades'". GQ. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  7. ^ Armitstead, Claire (6 February 2022). "Branagh and Hinds: two Belfast boys on childhood and the Troubles". The Observer. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  8. ^ Colman, Maureen (27 July 2020). "Ken Branagh homes in on new movie about Belfast". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  9. ^ a b Parfitt, Orlando (8 September 2020). "Kenneth Branagh's 'Belfast' starring Judi Dench and Jamie Dornan begins UK shoot". Screen International. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  10. ^ a b McGoldrick, Debbie (11 September 2020). "Kenneth Branagh to bring Belfast to the silver screen with star-studded cast". Irish Central. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  11. ^ Dalton, Ben (12 November 2020). "Branagh's 'Belfast', Davies' 'Benediction' and more: UK filmmakers talk return to production". Screen Daily. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  12. ^ Feinberg, Scott (1 February 2022). "Oscars: Six Contenders on the Challenges and Rewards of Making 2021 Indies". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  13. ^ Dawson, Angela (22 October 2020). "Jamie Dornan Stars In 'Synchronic,' 'Wild Mountain Thyme'". Forbes. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  14. ^ Hammond, Pete (2 September 2021). "'Belfast' Telluride Film Festival Review: Kenneth Branagh's Memorable Story Growing Up In A Volatile Northern Ireland Circa 1969". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  15. ^ Hammond, Pete (1 September 2021). "Telluride Film Festival: Will Smith's 'King Richard', Peter Dinklage Musical 'Cyrano', Joaquin Phoenix In 'C'mon C'mon', Ken Branagh's 'Belfast' Set To Premiere". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  16. ^ "Telluride Film Festival Program Guide" (PDF). Telluride Film Festival. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Column: What the Telluride Film Festival means for Oscar predictions — and the future of movies". Los Angeles Times. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  18. ^ Hammond, Pete (23 June 2021). "Melissa McCarthy, Kenneth Branagh, Edgar Wright Movies Among First Set For Toronto Film Festival; In-Person Theater And Digital Screenings Planned". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Belfast w/ Tribute to Kenneth Branagh". Cinema Chicago. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  20. ^ "Belfast • Filmferst Hamburg". FILMFEST HAMBURG. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Full programme announced for 65th BFI London Film Festival". BFI. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  22. ^ Johnson, Mark (23 September 2021). "The Middleburg Film Festival Announces First Films in 2021 Lineup". Awardsdaily - The Oscars, the Films and everything in between. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  23. ^ "BELFAST". Mill Valley Film Festival. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  24. ^ Staff, 6abc Digital (7 October 2021). "30th Philadelphia Film Festival | Full line-up of movies". 6abc Philadelphia. Retrieved 9 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ "Belfast". San Diego International Film Festival. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  26. ^ Lederman, Marsha (8 September 2021). "VIFF to offer full lineup in-person for 40th year". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Academy Museum's Inaugural Film Premiere Will be Focus Features' 'Last Night in Soho'". 8 October 2021.
  28. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (16 December 2020). "Focus Features Boards Kenneth Branagh's Autobiographical Film 'Belfast' Starring Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan & Judi Dench". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  29. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (9 November 2021). "Amid 'Eternals' Dominance Of The Box Office, 'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Hopes To Leave Paw Print – Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  30. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (14 November 2021). "'Eternals' Eyes $27M+ Second Weekend; 'Clifford' Woofs $20M 5-Day: Is Theatrical Hybrid Model Really The Answer For Family Movies?". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  31. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (14 November 2021). "'Eternals' Leads Box Office Over 'Clifford the Big Red Dog'". Variety. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  32. ^ a b Fuster, Jeremy (14 November 2021). "'Belfast' Bumps Up Indie Box Office With $3,000+ Theater Average". TheWrap. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  33. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (20 November 2021). "'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Calls Up $44M Opening Weekend – Sunday AM Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  34. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (28 November 2021). "'Licorice Pizza' Delivers: Paul Thomas Anderson Pic's Opening Among Filmmaker's Best With Record Screen Average – Specialty Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  35. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (28 November 2021). "'Encanto' & 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Split Families, 'House Of Gucci' Best Opening For Drama In Two Years – Thanksgiving Box Office, Sunday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  36. ^ "Domestic 2021 Weekend 48: November 26-28, 2021 – Thanksgiving 3-Day weekend (US)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  37. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (30 January 2021). "Arthouse Weathers Storm As Clean, Sundown Join Belfast, Drive My Car; Distribs See Scramble For Screens After Oscar Nods – Specialty Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  38. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (23 January 2022). "Spider-Man: No Way Home Zips To No. 6 On All-Time Global Chart With $1.69B; Sing 2 Now Top Toon Of Pandemic & Belfast Breaks Out In UK/Ireland – International Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  39. ^ "Belfast (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  40. ^ "Belfast Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  41. ^ Maher, Kevin. "Belfast review — Kenneth Branagh's masterpiece about growing up during the Troubles". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  42. ^ "Belfast review – Kenneth Branagh's euphoric eulogy to his home city". the Guardian. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  43. ^ Steve Pond (12 September 2021). "'Belfast' Film Review: Kenneth Branagh Crafts a Rich, Moving Memory Piece". TheWrap. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  44. ^ "It's Hard To Resist the Affectionate Energy of Kenneth Branagh's 'Belfast'". Time. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  45. ^ Leah Greenblatt (3 September 2021). "Belfast review: Kenneth Branagh's drama is soft-focus coming-of-age nostalgia". TheWrap. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  46. ^ David Ehrich (6 September 2021). "'Belfast' Review: Kenneth Branagh's Unengaging Cine-Memoir Is Awkward Cross of 'Roma' and 'Wonder Years'". IndieWire. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  47. ^ Steve Pond, "'Belfast' Wins Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award". TheWrap, 18 September 2021.
  48. ^ "'Belfast' Campaigns Caitriona Balfe and Jamie Dornan as Supporting, Jude Hill Goes for Lead at Oscars (Exclusive)". 11 October 2021.
  49. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (18 October 2021). "'Belfast' Wins Top Prize at Middleburg Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
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