Belfast (2021) is a movie based on Kenneth Branagh’s own experience. The whole film revolves around the point of view of a nine-year-old boy, Buddy, and his working-class Belfast family, who were attacked by a group of Protestant loyalists at their homes as well as the businesses of Catholics on Buddy’s street. At a very young age, Buddy experienced and saw the reality of sectarian conflict, and his family was caught in the middle.
The film won the People’s Choice Award at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival. Kenneth Branagh considers this his “most personal film.” This movie received positive reviews from critics because of the excellent direction, cinematography, screenplay, and, of course, the cast’s performances. Here are some of our favourite quotes from Belfast.
- Auntie Violet: The Irish were born for leavin’, otherwise the rest of the world’d have no pubs.
- Granny: Go. Go now. Don’t look back. I love you, son.
- Pop: You’re Buddy from Belfast 15, where everybody knows you and your pop looks out for you and your mummy looks out for you, your daddy looks out for you, your granny looks out for you, your brother looks out for you, and the whole family looks out for you. And wherever you go and whatever you become, that’ll always be the truth. And that thought will keep you safe. It’ll keep you happy… Will you remember that for me?”
- Pa: Be good
- Ma: Your granny says you can never have too much God, you might need him before too long.
- Minister: So do not say in grief that you are sorry he is gone, but rather, say in thankfulness you are grateful he was here.
- Pop: If They Can’t Understand You, They’re Not Listening.
- Billy Clanton: The problem with people like you is that you think you’re better than everyone.
- Pa: The problem with people like you is that you know you’re not.
- Pa: It’s a mad world.
- Frankie West: Well get used to it, we all live there now.
