Dáire’s Review
The Flats Is a documentary about a community living in Belfast, and primarily focuses on the lingering effects that the Troubles have had on those who lived through it and still live with its aftermath. Uniquely, this is done in part with recreations of Joe McNally’s memories of the troubles that he has carried with him since he was young. It is also highlighted that while Joe’s story is tragic, it is not uncommon for men of his age from Belfast.
In the recreations, we see neighbours Angie, Jolene and Seán fill in as Joe, his mother and grandmother. We get to see them outside the living dioramas and, particularly, how that even those unburdened with physical or mental scares from the Troubles bare witness to their consequences in the community. Not succumbing entirely to the woes of the past, Joe is also disheartened and feels his community has been abandoned and left to rot to this day.
Overall, The Flats shows us that while the ink is dry on the Good Friday Agreement, the pain and agony of enduring hardships still remain and there is a way to go yet to unite affected communities.
The Flats is released in Irish cinemas on May 23rd
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