"The Irish in Film"

The films will be shown in the Multimedia Room of the University's DiMenna-Nyselius Library on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM. 

The series begins with "Belfast" (2021), written and directed by Kenneth Branagh and set in Northern Ireland in 1969.  Branagh's film is based on his memoir of growing up in a Protestant, working class neighborhood at the beginning of the Troubles.  Buddy, played by Jude Hill, is a nine-year-old boy, who comes-of-age as he and his family confront the rise of sectarian conflict in their formerly peaceful neighborhood. Buddy's father (Jamie Dornan) is pressured to side with the Protestant Loyalists to rid the neighborhood of Catholic Nationalists. In addition, Buddy's mother (Caitriona Balfe) is horrified when she learns her son has been caught stealing with a group of Unionists children. The parents feel unable to cope with the new environment and decide to leave. Buddy's loving grandmother (Judi Dench) and grandfather (Ciaran Hinds) are faced with the saddness of losing Buddy and his parents to emigration. 

 The film will be introduced by Dr. William Abbott of the History Department and Co-Director of the Irish Studies Program.  After the film, he will field questions from the audience.