Jamie Dornan has opened up about the emotional toll the film ‘Belfast’ had on him, as it brought up a lot of memories from his own past. The film, written and directed by Kenneth Branagh is loosely based on his own life and Jamie, who is from Belfast shared that he picked up on parallels within his own life too.
The actor was chatting with Goss.ie at the Oscar Wilde Awards in LA this week when he said that he did feel a “heavier emotional price than a lot of other jobs maybe…”
Continuing he added; “But I understand it, I understand those people, I understand that place, and I understand the importance of Ken telling that story, his story, and just to be a part of it is a massive thing.”
“You don’t go into anything expecting everything that’s come out of it for us but it’s been enjoyable and a little exhausting.”
Set in the 1960’s, the film follows a young boy and his family in Belfast navigating the turmoil that has taken over the city and deciding whether to wait it out or look for a fresh start with Jamie playing the role of Pa.
Kenneth previously told Vanity Fair that he remembers the troubles in Northern Ireland growing up which is what inspired this semi-autobiographical film; “It’s something I’ve been trying to understand, as I grow older, that it was a moment when the world tried to insist that you put away childish things, and demanded that you are dragged into this perilous adulthood.”
Speaking to film students at the QFT last year during the Belfast Media Festival Branagh said, “It’s a very personal film, set partly in Belfast and partly elsewhere, partly set in the past and partly set in the present. I hope that there is humour and I hope that it’s emotional. It’s a look at a people and a place in tumult through the eyes of a nine-year old movie-mad kid.”
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It seems The Academy are as impressed with the film as movie-goers, as it’s been nominated for an incredible seven Oscars.
Here’s what the film is up for;
Actress in a Supporting Role – Judie Dench, Belfast
Actor in a Supporting Role – Ciarán Hinds, Belfast
Best Sound – Belfast
Best Original Screenplay – Belfast, written by Kenneth Branagh
Best Director – Kenneth Branagh, Belfast
Best Picture – Belfast
Best Song – ‘Down to Joy’ by Van Morrison
