Last night, we had the great honour and privilege to attend the world premiere of the locally produced movie A Christmas star and boy, what a treat we were in for!

Belfast-based youth film festival charity, Cinemagic (which also celebrates 25 years of existence and continuous service to the local community this year) welcomed in the Odyssey Cinemas, Titanic Quarter Belfast over 2400 film fans, film industry supporters, cast and crew, in a spectacular fashion, bringing the magic of Christmas to the city early:

Quoting from the film’s press release last night:

“A host of actors and supporters of Cinemagic including Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Suranne Jones (Scott & Bailey, Doctor Foster), Robert James-Collier (Downton Abbey, Coronation Street), Bronagh Waugh (Hollyoaks, The Fall), and Richard Clements (Good Vibrations, The Fall) feature in the movie made by young people, directed by Richard Elson (M.I. High, Steffi), and written by Maire Campbell (Punch); and the festive story, set in Northern Ireland, is narrated by Liam Neeson (Taken, Schindler’s List ), features a cameo from Kylie Minogue and guest appearance from Dermot O’Leary and Julian Fellowes. The film soundtrack is an original song We Can Shine, written by Ryan McGroarty and a team of young people and it is performed by Zena Donnelly.“

What did we think of it all?

It was an amazing feeling, to be there and feel the buzz and all the excitement that surrounded the Northern Ireland’s and Ireland’s first ever Christmas movie premiere!!

It was sort of surreal to be able to meet some of the actors in the movie and see all the glam outfits (and yes, we did feel very under dressed and I was ever so glad I was able to hide behind the press pass and my camera!).

                                               Wasn’t Zena Donnelly’s dress beautiful?

We thoroughly enjoyed watching the behind the scenes video, seeing the massive effort that went into choosing the crew and the cast, the joys and challenges of filming it all and the spirit of camaraderie and the craic we know so well to be characteristic of Northern Ireland!

The movie itself is a delight to watch and hearing the Norn Irish lull is comforting and pride-inducing, even for an adopted citizen of this country :-)!

A Christmas Star used loads of famous backdrops like Stormont and the City Hall (and its beautiful Christmas lightning ceremony)and it will be, in my opinion, a great ambassador not only for the local artistic talent but also a brilliant way to showcase the grandeur and welcoming Belfast atmosphere.

On a personal level and paradoxically, the movie answered one of the most tormenting existential questions we have had since Georgie passed away. The issue of miracles is brought up, again and again, by Noelle, the main character of the story. With typical Northern Irish wisdom, the question was for the first time ever answered satisfactorily for us by the old lady in the village: the only real miracle there is in this world is the one of love.

The movie will make its grand debut on the screens on the 13th of November and we do wholeheartedly recommend it as THE Christmas movie to see as a family this year.

Here is the official trailer, to get you in the Christmas mood:

Disclaimer: Cinemagic offered our family press passes to the premiere, for which we are extremely grateful. The opinions expressed in this blog post are truthful and entirely our own.