Belfast is a great movie. It tells the story of the Troubles, i.e. the civil strife in Belfast, in a balanced and insightful way. There is violence, particularly the opening scene of a petrol bomb exploding in a residential neighborhood, but primarily it is the intimate story of a family; a family being pulled into a fight they do not want, stirred by a hatred they do not share. The  boy who plays the author in his childhood is fresh, engaging and funny. The rest of the cast is sensational. Oscar nominations will come for sure.

Go to Hollywoodmovietrailers youtube Belfast for a peak.

And also watch "Kenneth Branagh On "The Troubles" That Rocked Belfast During His Childhood" with Stephen Colbert on YouTube.

I first visited Belfast in 1963. I was 15. The Troubles had begun and the divisions between Protestants and Catholics, particularly in city neighborhoods was intense. As we were shown around Northern Ireland, my cousins would skirt around the neighborhood featured in this movie to avoid danger. In fact, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I toured the Falls Road/Shankhill areas. The Peace Wall brought tears to my eyes. The fact that the gate between the neighbors is still closed at 10 pm for curfew left a pit in my stomach. The Peace Accord was such an amazing triumph; yet, the deep wounds of division remain for many.

There is so much we can learn from this movie. I would love for every school and every community organization to offer it for viewing and discussion. We have a similar separation here in this country right now. Radicalization, stereotyping, rigidity, and rabblerousing leaders create strife and pressure people-even children- to take sides.

I remember on a subsequent visit to Ireland in 1971 hearing my cousin who was a pediatric specialist say that his deepest regret was declining to take a council position during the Troubles. As he put it,
“we moderates thought it wasn’t our fight. I thought I could serve better as a doctor. Then look what happened.” It was a real lesson for me in how important it is to participate, to stand for your values, and to speak truth to power.

Watch this movie. It is enjoyable as well as enlightening. Then, do contact me if you have questions or would like to talk further about it.

Peace.