Cameron Turley’s contribution to the Storytellers project is an evocative vision of Belfast by Ammar Najjar, a Yemeni poet. Richard Clements, the project’s director, met Ammar through a mutual acquaintance, the poet Maria McManus. Friendship developed quickly, and one morning, over the course of a few cups of tea, they discussed collaborating on one of Ammar’s poems, the one that most reflected his journey and experiences in Ireland. Clements writes: “by the end of the morning we had already recorded the audio for Good Morning Belfast, a powerfully emotive poem of strength and resilience.” The poem was recorded in Arabic, and the translated text in the subtitles was created through a collaboration between Najjarr and McManus, in order to best convey the original version’s integrity and message. Najjar’s verses are stark and luminous, entwining reflections on conflict – both external and internal – with the complex duality of refuge and sanctuary. His imagery is sharp and resonant, distilling the pain and paradox of seeking solace in a place that can be both haven and hardship: the “axe that is holier than the tree.”

To give form to these words, Clements turned to Cameron Turley, a gifted young filmmaker based in Belfast. Turley’s approach was one of deference and precision, focused on allowing the poem and its creator to take centre stage. “My aim,” Turley says, “was to let the poem breathe – to complement the sound with imagery, not to overpower it.” Najjar is shown in his flat on the Laganside embankment, watching over the river that was once the city’s lifeline. Grey skies make the water appear ink-black, as Najjar explores his place in this city and the struggle to find it. An astonishing overhead shot wherein Ammar makes direct eye contact with the camera deserves special mention. Turley writes that his aim was to create an intimate connection between poet and viewer in a scene that is “layered with imagery that portrays the conflict in Belfast during the time of the ‘Troubles’ alongside visuals representing the turmoil in Yemen”. This meeting of eyes becomes a bridge between fractured societies, speaking to shared suffering and the unrelenting weight of its legacy – an inheritance felt not only in the immediate aftermath but rippling through generations, often in ways too profound or hidden to fully grasp.

The hauntingly beautiful score, provided by Arco String Quartet, deepens the film’s impact. Arranged by Richard Hadwen, the music merges seamlessly with Najjar’s voice, creating moments of grace where the words are given space to resound. Filmed at different locations along the Laganside embankment, the musicians’ presence becomes a reflection of the city itself – its melancholy, its resilience, its contradictions, its quiet dignity. 

The final word goes to Clements: “From Cameron, Ammar and Arco, I give you Good Morning Belfast.” 

• StoryMakers Event
• Storymakers Album
• Richard Clements
• Cameron Turley