Sheelagh O'Kane

The film tells the story of two boys who become friends at the start of the Troubles in 1970. The boys share an obsession with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, with the consequence that they run away to Australia.

Violence erupts in north Belfast when the residents of Glenbyrn, a predominantly Protestant suburb, object to schoolgirls walking through their neighbourhood from the Catholic area of Ardoyne to the Holy Cross primary school.

Sparks fly in this upbeat and funny film about the lives of Mei, Kenny, Ciaran, and Niamh, four young people coping with a tangle of friendships, family life, and local politics in Belfast. Mei, a local Chinese girl, finds that falling in love with Kenny, a Protestant boy, is far from simple as they try to negotiate their way through their cultural differences. Complications arise for both of them when their relationship overlaps with that of Ciaran and Niamh from the Catholic Falls Road. Matters finally come to a head in a frightening confrontation which severely tests cross-community relations. This ‘made for schools’ drama explores the narrow ground of conflicting loyalties, identities and family traditions. Shining through is the Belfast humour – sometimes unforgiving, but more often full of warmth and humanity. The film is scored by John O’Neill of the Undertones.

A ten year old Protestant girl travels to Belfast to take part in a music festival, and is billetted with a Catholic family.