A powerful new documentary has captured the heart of Northern Ireland. “This Is Our City” explores Belfast’s transformation from conflict-ridden capital to vibrant cultural hub. This story of resilience and hope has resonated with audiences across the UK and Ireland. Therefore, let us dive into what makes this film so special and important.
The documentary premiered at the Belfast Film Festival in late 2025. It has since screened at festivals in London, Dublin, and New York. This journey through Belfast’s streets reveals a city still grappling with its past. The life of ordinary citizens navigating post-Troubles society forms the documentary’s emotional core.
What Is This Is Our City About?
This Is Our City follows four Belfast residents from different backgrounds. A former paramilitary prisoner, a young artist, a community worker, and a historian share their perspectives. Each person offers a unique lens on the city’s evolution. Consequently, the film avoids simple narratives of victimhood or triumph.
The documentary does not shy away from the city’s painful history. It shows peace walls that still separate Protestant and Catholic neighbourhoods. It explores how the 1998 Good Friday Agreement brought peace but not full reconciliation. Therefore, viewers gain a nuanced understanding of Belfast’s present challenges.
Yet the film also celebrates Belfast’s vibrant rebirth. New restaurants, galleries, and tech startups are transforming the city centre. The famous murals of Falls Road and Shankill Road now attract tourists from around the world. Consequently, “This Is Our City” balances darkness with genuine hope for the future.Many viewers have called it an honest, unflinching portrait of a city in transition.
The Director’s Vision Behind the Film
Belfast-born filmmaker Michael Lennox directed “This Is Our City.” He is best known for his acclaimed short film “Boogaloo and Graham.” That 2014 film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Live Action Short. Therefore, Lennox has proven he can tell intimate, powerful stories about Northern Ireland.
Lennox spent three years researching and filming the documentary. He interviewed over 50 Belfast residents before selecting the final four subjects. He wanted to show the city’s complexity without imposing a single political viewpoint. Consequently, the film has been praised for its balance and fairness.
In interviews, Lennox has described the film as a “love letter to a complicated city.” He grew up during the Troubles and remembers armed soldiers on his street. Yet he also witnessed Belfast’s remarkable transformation. Therefore, his personal connection to the subject matter gives the film authentic emotional weight.Anyone interested in Northern Ireland’s recent history will appreciate his perspective.
The Four Main Subjects and Their Stories
Thomas, a former UVF prisoner, spent 12 years in the Maze Prison. He now works with ex-combatants from both sides of the conflict. His story explores how former enemies can work together for peace. Consequently, his segment challenges assumptions about redemption and change.
Sarah, a 24-year-old street artist, grew up in the post-Good Friday Agreement era. She has never known the violence of the Troubles firsthand. Her murals blend Irish and British cultural symbols in provocative ways. Therefore, she represents a generation that wants to move beyond old divisions.
Patricia runs a community centre in a working-class Catholic neighbourhood. She has lived through the worst of the violence and the slow peace process. Her daily work involves bringing together young people from both sides of the peace wall. Consequently, her story shows how grassroots activism keeps the peace alive.This segment is particularly moving for many viewers.
Dr. William Blair is a historian who specialises in Northern Ireland’s partition. He provides essential context for understanding the conflict’s roots. His academic perspective helps viewers grasp why the divisions run so deep. Therefore, his interviews serve as the documentary’s educational backbone.
Critical Reception and Awards
“This Is Our City” has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. The Guardian gave the film four stars, calling it “essential viewing.” The Belfast Telegraph praised its “unflinching honesty and unexpected warmth.” Consequently, the documentary has become a critical darling in the UK film scene.
The film won the Audience Award at the 2025 Belfast Film Festival. It also picked up the Best Documentary prize at the Galway Film Fleadh. Industry insiders believe it could be Northern Ireland’s entry for the Best International Feature Oscar. Therefore, “This Is Our City” has genuine awards potential.Many hope the film will reach audiences far beyond the UK and Ireland.
Audience reactions have been equally positive across multiple screenings. Viewers in Belfast have reported crying during the film’s emotional climax. Younger audience members, in particular, have found the history sections eye-opening. Consequently, the documentary serves an educational purpose alongside its artistic value.
Where to Watch This Is Our City
The documentary is currently touring film festivals across the UK and Ireland. A limited theatrical release is planned for spring 2026. Major cities like London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Dublin will host screenings. Therefore, audiences in urban centres should be able to see it on the big screen.
BBC Northern Ireland has acquired the broadcast rights for the film. It is expected to air on BBC Two NI in late spring 2026. The documentary will also be available on BBC iPlayer after its television premiere. Consequently, viewers across the UK will be able to watch it for free.
International distribution deals are currently being negotiated. A streaming release on platforms like Netflix or Amazon seems likely for later in 2026. Check the film’s official website for the latest screening information. Therefore, international fans of documentary cinema should stay tuned for updates.This film deserves a wide audience beyond these shores.
The Relevance of This Is Our City Today
Northern Ireland’s political situation remains fragile in 2026. The power-sharing government at Stormont has collapsed twice in the past decade. Brexit has complicated the border question between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Therefore, understanding Belfast’s complex identity is more relevant than ever.
The documentary arrives at a crucial moment for younger generations. Many people under 30 have only known the post-Good Friday Agreement era. Yet peace walls still stand, and occasional sectarian violence flares up. Consequently, “This Is Our City” helps younger viewers understand the present by explaining the past.
The film also speaks to broader global questions about divided cities. Belfast is not unique in its struggles with historical trauma and sectarian identity. Other post-conflict cities like Sarajevo, Beirut, and Berlin face similar challenges. Therefore, the documentary’s lessons apply far beyond Northern Ireland’s borders.Anyone interested in peace-building and reconciliation should watch this film.
Behind the Scenes: Making the Documentary
Lennox and his small crew filmed over 200 hours of footage across three years. They followed their four main subjects through daily life and special events. The crew received unprecedented access to areas rarely shown in documentaries. Consequently, the footage captures authentic, unguarded moments of genuine emotion.
The filmmakers faced significant security challenges during production. Filming in sensitive interface areas required careful negotiation with community leaders. The crew also had to navigate the political sensitivities of their subjects’ backgrounds. Therefore, making the film was as complex as the story it tells.
Local musicians provided the film’s evocative original score. Traditional Irish folk music blends with contemporary electronic elements. This sonic landscape mirrors the documentary’s theme of old and new coexisting. Consequently, the soundtrack has become almost as beloved as the film itself.This attention to detail makes the film a complete artistic package.
FAQs
What is This Is Our City about?
This Is Our City is a documentary exploring modern Belfast’s identity. It follows four residents from different backgrounds. The film balances the city’s troubled past with its hopeful present and future.
Who directed This Is Our City?
Belfast-born filmmaker Michael Lennox directed the documentary. He previously earned an Oscar nomination for his short film “Boogaloo and Graham.” Lennox spent three years researching and filming this project.
Where can I watch This Is Our City?
The documentary is currently screening at film festivals. A limited theatrical release is planned for spring 2026. BBC Northern Ireland will broadcast the film, followed by BBC iPlayer streaming.
How long is the This Is Our City documentary?<brthe film="" runs="" for="" approximately="" 95="" minutes.="" there="" is="" no="" interval="" during="" the="" theatrical="" screenings.="" runtime="" allows="" each="" of="" four="" main="" subjects="" adequate="" screen="" time="" their="" stories.
Is This Is Our City suitable for children?<brthe documentary="" discusses="" the="" troubles="" and="" includes="" some="" archival="" footage="" of="" violence.="" it="" is="" recommended="" for="" viewers="" aged="" 14="" above.="" parents="" should="" preview="" film="" before="" showing="" to="" younger="" teenagers.
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