On Tuesday morning,Belfastwriter-directorKenneth Branaghhad a lot to celebrate.
Branagh tells EW that he still credits his nominations to Balfe and her co-stars.
“We know that this is a phenomenally competitive year,” he says.
Rob Youngson / Focus Features
“They’re just some wonderful films out there, and inevitably, there are wonderful performances.
It sounds cliched, but I mean it when I say these nominations absolutely belong to them.”
It’s an honor to be in the conversation.
Judi Dench in ‘Belfast’.Rob Youngson / Focus Features
And you know that anybody who takes those places has earned the right to do so."
“I’m so thrilled for Judi because sometimes she’s taken for granted,” Branagh reflects.
“Because she’s a national treasure and a movie legend.
Ciarán Hinds in ‘Belfast’.Rob Youngson / Focus Features
Rather than taking for granted that she’ll always be good.
She’s special in this film.”
“He has a tremendous career of being prominent in excellent films,” notes Branagh.
Kenneth Branagh.Rob Youngson/Focus Features
This marks Branagh’s second nomination for Best Director, with just over 30 years between the two nods.
“I had instinct and I had a passion.
“I didn’t second guess.
Director Kenneth Branagh (left) and actor Jude Hill on the set of ‘Belfast’.Rob Youngson / Focus Features
I didn’t overthink it.
What I felt was the adventure and the privilege of doing it.
Branagh is certainly no stranger to the Oscars.
He’s been nominated for everything from Best Actor to Best Adapted Screenplay to Best Live Action Short Film.
But Branagh says it’s this film’s very personal nature that he believes has vaunted it to success.
“It really activates consideration of [people’s] own childhoods and their own families.
Belfastscored seven Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture.
