“This wall is not here for you”

Stop Nineteen (Swindells, 2020) is a short documentary on how ‘dark tourism’ has overwhelmed Belfast as many tourists visit the city wanting to see the effects The Troubles had on the area, whilst many locals wish the tourism industry to stop. Despite the film being just nine minutes, it is packed with information, such as a brief history on the thirty-year period of violence and political dispute, as well as first-hand accounts from residents to illustrate their point-of-view. 

Stop Nineteen has reaffirmed why I love documentaries as they allow you to hear voices that are typically ignored. Until now, I had shamefully never considered the impact ‘dark tourism’ has on locals. Although it is part of Ireland’s history, The Troubles caused severe devastation and loss for many people and it is completely understandable as to why those living in Belfast feel as though their pain is now part of the attraction. There is a great, ironic scene where crowds of tourists are taking photographs and selfies against a ‘peace wall’, whilst the voiceover is a local admitting she wished the wall was never there, claiming tourists are “feeding on something that was really bad”. The film highlights the danger of ‘dark tourism’, as it can cause tourists to become ignorant about their surroundings and the effect it may have on those affected by the past. 

I implore everybody with a Doc/Fest pass to watch this. Not only is it a quick and interesting historical guide to what happened in Northern Ireland, it also emphasises the importance of listening to the ignored voices with a lesson in sympathy and understanding. 

Written by Gabriella Ingamells