While we’re still waiting for the eventual release of Kenneth Branagh’s oft-delayed Death On the Nile, the multi-hyphenate filmmaker has another film that debuted at Telluride and will play at TIFF. Belfast is a 1960s Irish coming-of-age tale that stars Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan, and newcomer Jude Hill.
Here’s the synopsis: A coming-of-age drama set during the tumult of late-1960s Northern Ireland, the film follows young Buddy (Jude Hill) as he navigates a landscape of working-class struggle, sweeping cultural changes, and sectarian violence. Buddy dreams of a glamorous future that will whisk him far from the Troubles, but, in the meantime, he finds consolation in his charismatic Pa (Jamie Dornan) and Ma (Caitríona Balfe), and his spry, tale-spinning grandparents (Ciarán Hinds and Judi Dench).
Focus Features has acquired Belfast and will release it into theaters on November 12th. Branagh continues to make interesting choices that have him straddling the mainstream/arthouse divide. This obviously falls on the latter side and could be a player this awards season.
