Film: "Belfast"

This British coming-of-age drama follows a young boy in Belfast at the beginning of The Troubles in 1969.

It is 1969 and 9-year-old Buddy finds his peaceful life disturbed as a national conflict is starting to brew in Northern Ireland: unionists and loyalists — mostly Protestants — want the country to remain within the United Kingdom, while nationalists and republicans — mostly Catholics — are campaigning for the country to join a united Ireland. As the tension between these two opposing forces escalates, he and his family must decide whether to stay, or move somewhere safe.

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 received seven nominations at the 94th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, winning for Best Original Screenplay.

PG-13. 1 hour, 37 minutes.

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