The Flats

• Alessandra Celesia
• 116 min
• France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium
• 2024
• Documentary

An award-winning and deeply human exploration of unresolved trauma in Northern Ireland, where the battles still rage within Joe despite nearly 30 years of peace.

New Lodge in Belfast, once a focal point of the conflict known as The Troubles, remains profoundly marked by the aftermath of violence – especially in Joe's life. From his apartment, he gazes out over the area as if it were still a battlefield. He recounts throwing his first molotov cocktail, the loss of beloved family members, experiences of torture, and memories of Bobby Sands. Yet, at its core, this is a story about his inner war, still waged in the present. Through powerful testimonies, including those of neighbors Angie and Jolene, the film reveals how unhealed traumas continue to echo across generations. The Flats, which won the top award at CPH:DOX, is a fascinating, deeply moving, and remarkable cinematic gem.

- Johan Blomqvist

• Krig
• Dokumentär
• Hybridfilm
• Politik
• Samhälle
• Stad
• Försoning