A timely programme made by BBC Northern Ireland, as part of its Season Of Arts, profiles Sir Kenneth Branagh and includes the only television interview filmed during his return to the city of his birth last November for the premiere of his latest film Belfast.
The film, written and directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh sees him return to his roots in the city of his early childhood. It is an autobiographical exploration of the value of family life in the face of the gathering storm that became the Troubles - one which led to him leaving the city.
In this programme, Branagh: Bringing Belfast Home, Sir Kenneth Branagh talks at length to Kathy Clugston about his new film - what drove him to write it, working with the actors and even his refusal to water down the Belfast accent for international distribution.
He also discusses his own childhood experiences of being caught up in rioting as both bystander and participant, his parents’ zest for life and how leaving the city left a deep mark on him. This is combined with footage from the film ‘Belfast’.
The programme also features footage from red carpet events in both London and Belfast in which viewers will see the impact ‘Belfast’ is having on the film world.
The 30-minute film also shows some of the many hours of BBC archive following Branagh’s rise to the very top of his field in both the UK and Hollywood. By showing how far he has travelled from his roots, it is all the more remarkable that he has returned to them in his new film.
Branagh: Bringing Belfast Home
Tuesday 25 January
BBC One Northern Ireland, 10.35pm
Also on BBC iPlayer