Here is a great video of Bill Maher‘s Interview with Belfast (2021) Director, Producer and Writer Kenneth Branagh from the seventh episode of the 20th Season of Real Time with Bill Maher that aired a few weeks ago. In the interview Bill and Kenneth break down really well and simple the geographical make up of Ireland. They then go on to discuss ‘The Troubles’ with Real Time, for those who have not studied it in History, but should still understand what occurred in Northern Ireland and what exactly the Northern Ireland Conflict simply known as “The Troubles” that occurred from the Late 1960’s until 1998 was. Kenneth explains it from his own personal experience with it.

Ken’s Real Time in Belfast….

Kenneth was a child growing up in a Protestant Family in Belfast when “The Troubles” started. He and his family soon after, decide to leave the violence in Belfast that had in a few short months and occupied his parents and grandparents streets and their entire neighborhood. Kenneth Branagh’s personal experience with the conflict is the film Belfast. It is told from the viewpoint of a nine year old “Buddy” and starts with the violent moment in his childhood that occurred August 15, 1969. That event would ultimately bring about his having to leave the only place he knows. His home in Belfast, to move to England. The Northern Ireland Conflict became one of the biggest displacements of a population. It would become the largest displacement in a European city since the end of World War II.

‘The Troubles’ Religious…

The conflict would result in hundreds of thousands of Catholics being forced to leave their homes and extended family. From it would occur a large population rearrangement. Therefore, it also began a long violent and dark history that would last 30 years in Northern Ireland. They make a great current event connection to the conflict with Israel and the Palestinians. The idea of religious wars inward and outwardly that only bring devastation and PTSD for anyone who survives it. They briefly discuss the economical and sociological ramifications and victims to civil discord. And I completely agree with Bill in the beginning of the interview. Americans are not great on History. It doesn’t matter if were studying it, or not studying it, or just re-examining the events of it. It seems America has ‘The Troubles’ with Real Time History!