Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast
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A jewel at the tip of the Emerald Isle, Belfast may only have a population of just over 600,000, but its impact on popular culture can be felt far and wide. From the music of Van Morrison to the literary genius of C.S. Lewis, the capital of Northern Ireland has long produced art that changes the world. A modern bustling city, it has also become a hotspot for film and TV production, turning the former shipping hub into a place where anything and everything (including dragons) can be brought to life! Join us as we head north to explore the locations that became infamous to fans.

By Victoria Luxford

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast.
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QUB Ashby Building, Stranmillis Rd (High-Rise, 2015) – Ben Wheatley’s dark, surreal adaptation of the 1970s novel was truly a Northern Irish production. Filmed mostly at a seaside resort in nearby Bangor, exterior shots were captured around the Ashby Building belonging to Queen’s University Belfast. Fans of the Tom Hiddleston movie will be immediately familiar with the Brutalist design of the building, which normally functions as a hub for students of science. If you’re a completist, a trip to Bangor may be in order; however, the sheer visage should be the perfect photo opportunity for those looking for a High-Rise-themed souvenir!

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast.
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Greyabbey (The Lost City of Z, 2016) – Want to see a place visited by both the future Spider-man and Batman? Head to this charming village just outside of the city. Greyabbey has less than a thousand residents, but the village will have been seen by millions as part of the Brad Pitt-produced The Lost City of Z, released in 2016. It was there that a young Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson filmed – prior to their superhero casting – alongside Charlie Hunnam and Sienna Miller in the sweeping adventure epic. The cottages and graveyards around this former abbey town perfectly fit the period setting of the movie, and will transport you back in time, too!

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast.
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The Crown Bar (Lift, 2023) – At the time of writing, the Kevin Hart comedy Lift hasn’t even been released yet, but we already know a location! Press around the world noted the comedian and actor shooting at the Crown Bar in Belfast as part of the movie, which also stars Spider-man’s Jacob Batalon and Avatar’s Sam Worthington in the story of a heist involving a 777 passenger flight. The bar itself is something of a Belfast staple, dating back to the early 1800s and boasting a unique atmosphere that no doubt caught the attention of Hollywood bigwigs. It won’t even be the first time it’s played a role in a movie, having appeared in the 1940s James Mason classic Odd Man Out. Truly a part of Irish and cinema history!

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast.
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Cave Hill Country Park (Belfast, 2021) – The Oscar-winning ode to Sir Kenneth Branagh’s childhood celebrates Belfast and its people, but astonishingly was not filmed in the city! Recreating the idyllic streets of 1969 was not possible in the current city, so much of the filming was confined to a studio outside of London. However, some shots were filmed in the real place, including the rousing opening moments that offer a montage of the city as it stands today. Part of that was Cave Hill Country Park, a must-see for those who like a bit of nature to contrast with the urban exploration. Home to caves, forts and castles, it is the perfect example of the region’s endless diversity.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast.
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The Paint Hall/Titanic Studios (Various) – What do Bill Murray, Tom Hanks, Emilia Clarke, the late Queen Elizabeth and a giant dragon all have in common? They’ve all been to Titanic Studios in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. Comprising of the Paint Hall (a former shipyard) and the adjacent Hurst and MacQuitty Stages, it – one of the largest studio complexes in Europe – played host to films such as 2008’s City of Ember (produced by Tom Hanks and starring Bill Murray), as well as Your Highness, starring Natalie Portman. For most of the 2010s, however, it was synonymous with HBO smash hit Game of Thrones, as the location for many of the show’s interior shots in the course of its run. It was so linked with the fantasy series that the late Queen Elizabeth took a tour of the studio and came face to face with the Iron Throne! While tours aren’t available to the public, the site of the buildings themselves is something to behold.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast.
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The Titanic Museum (Titanic, 1997) – OK, stay with us here. James Cameron’s Titanic was not filmed in Belfast, given that the shoot largely occurred in South America. However, do you know what was made in Belfast? The Titanic itself! While the story is tragic, the ill-fated ship has captured the fascination of the public for decades, especially since the success of the Kate Winslet/Leonardo DiCaprio classic. The popularity of the film was no doubt partially responsible for the area where the Titanic was made being redeveloped and centred around a museum about its history. Having just passed the movie’s 25^th anniversary, it seems like an ideal opportunity to view the artefacts and experience the story of the real vessel, in the very spot where it was built.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast.
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Café Vaudeville (Keith Lemon: The Film, 2012) – It’s likely that the big-screen adventures of the TV character Keith Lemon won’t be high on any cinephile’s list, with the film generally remembered as one of the worst ever made and only really valued for guilty-pleasure viewing. However, if you thought the party scenes from the movie looked inviting, you can try to live out your own rags-to-riches tale in Café Vaudeville, where those scenes were shot. We suggest keeping the dancing to a minimum, as the location has become an upscale brasserie named Revolucion de Cuba. However, the unique architecture should be instantly recognisable to lovers of the comedy ‘hit’!

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast.
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Crumlin Road Gaol (Starred Up, 2013) – You might wonder why we’re sending you to a prison on your vacation, but rest assured: Crumlin Road Gaol will not see you end up behind bars! The former prison closed its doors to inmates in 1996, but opened them to film crews and tourists in 2012. Teeming with nearly 200 years of history, it was also one of the filming locations for the hard-hitting drama Starred Up with Jack O’Connell and Ben Mendelsohn. It’s a superb movie, and despite being set in England, the prison walls will be immediately familiar to those who adore this indie gem.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast.
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Giant’s Causeway (Hellboy II: The Golden Army, 2008) – Arguably far more famous than the film that featured it, the Giant’s Causeway is one of Northern Ireland’s most popular attractions. Located an hour’s drive from Belfast, legend has it that the curious natural columns are the remains of a causeway (road or track) built by a giant – the kind of mythology that made it a perfect fit for Guillermo del Toro’s lively action sequel, in which Hellboy and his allies find the location of the titular Golden Army. Game of Thrones also took advantage of the area, and it ‘played’ itself in a film used during the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. The vistas alone are worth the visit, but the Hollywood connection should make it even sweeter!

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast.
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Torr Head (The Northman, 2022) – While you’re on the northern coast, why not take a short drive to Torr Head which, in 2019, played the island kingdom of King Aurvandil (Ethan Hawke) in the dark and bloody revenge drama The Northman (eventually released in 2022). Northern Ireland is as much a character in Robert Eggers’ Nordic saga as the Vikings and mystics it plays host to. With scenes filmed all across the region, the abundant natural beauty made it the obvious choice – a place that exudes the feel of the film even after the sets have been dismantled.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast.
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Clandeboye Estate (Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, 2023) – Back to Belfast, and a historic building that plays a part in one of the biggest movies of 2023. The silver-screen adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons stars Chris Pratt and Hugh Grant, bringing the world of the tabletop game to life in a way that has never been seen before. As you’d expect, many castles and stately homes have been used for production, such as Clandeboye Estate – a 17th-century-home-turned-event-space. It won’t have been unfamiliar to film crews, having been used for the filming of Game of Thrones episode The North Remembers, but outside of its Hollywood obligations, you can visit the estate’s restaurant or (if you really like it) hold a wedding there.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast.
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Oh Yeah Centre (Good Vibrations, 2012) – The future of Belfast’s music scene has been used to tell the story of its past. Oh Yeah Centre was set up in 2007 to provide industry-standard equipment and promotion to up-and-coming local musical acts. It was also used as an apt location for independent biopic Good Vibrations, based on the true story of a record shop founded during the punk era that encouraged a new wave of musicians, including punk icons Buzzcocks. The original Good Vibrations is no longer there, but any music fan will feel its spirit in this 21st-century endeavour that seeks to carry on the same mission.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Belfast

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