Watch I Am Belfast

I Am Belfast is a unique and introspective documentary film directed by Mark Cousins. The movie takes the audience on a journey through the streets, buildings, and landscapes of the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The film explores the city's past, present, and future through the eyes of a 10,000-year-old woman named Belfast, portrayed by Rosie McKee. The film also features interviews with local residents, musicians, poets, and artists, as well as archive footage and photographs of the city.

The movie starts with a stunning aerial view of Belfast's coastline, followed by a montage of the city's historical landmarks and modern developments. The film then introduces Belfast, who speaks in poetic monologues about her long and dramatic history, from the first settlers to the current political climate. She reflects on the pain and trauma of the city's troubled past, including the Troubles, a period of violent conflict between unionists and nationalists that lasted from 1969 to 1998.

Throughout the film, Belfast takes the audience on a tour of the city's streets, introducing them to the people, places, and events that have shaped its unique character. She shows them the grand Victorian architecture of the city center, the bustling markets, the iconic murals painted on the sides of buildings, and the tranquil natural spaces that surround the urban landscape. The camera lingers on the details of the city, capturing the texture of the walls, the colors of the sky, and the faces of the people.

One of the film's most poignant moments comes when Belfast visits the graveyard where the Titanic, the ill-fated ship that was built in the city, was constructed. She reflects on the loss of life and the shattered dreams that this tragedy represented, and how it echoes the larger themes of violence and destruction that have plagued the city.

The film also features interviews with local artists and musicians who speak about their own experiences of living and working in Belfast. They represent a diverse range of cultural backgrounds and perspectives, including punk singer Terri Hooley, who founded the Good Vibrations record label during the Troubles, and who was a champion of both unionist and nationalist voices.

As the film progresses, Belfast's tone becomes more introspective and melancholy, as she reflects on the current state of the city and the challenges that lay ahead. She speaks about the impact of gentrification, the struggle for equal rights, and the need for reconciliation and healing.

In its final moments, I Am Belfast leaves the audience with a sense of hope and renewal, as Belfast speaks about the beauty and resilience of the city, and how it is constantly regenerating itself. The film ends with a stirring musical performance by Van Morrison, one of Belfast's most famous sons, who sings about the city's spirit and soul.

Overall, I Am Belfast is a deeply thoughtful and beautifully filmed tribute to a city with a rich and complex history. The film is an immersive experience that invites the audience to see the world through the eyes of a city and its people, and to reflect on the universal themes of identity, memory, and resilience.

I Am Belfast is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.