Holy Cross (2003)

[bunniefuu]

SARAH: Nothing is getting me
in front of that. I'd say the
wrong thing. I always do.

KAREN: Uh, Mum, you promised.

SARAH: Like I had a choice!
Something wrong?

KAREN: It's the camera,
it always... Got you!

Mum, I'm so never going
to talk to you again.

Yeah. Promises, promises!

Karen Norton. "Where I Live"
for Mrs Lawson, class six.

This is my room. My mum bought
all my Britney posters for me.

I've got more,
but I've only space
for my favs.

I used to have the other room
at the back of the house,

but my mum says it
was too dangerous, so
she moved me in here.

My mummy sleeps
in my old room now.

This is my mum's view out the
back. Uncle Peter built that.

But my mum wants the
government to build a
proper wall there.

Mum and I talk about
everything: TV,
clothes, music.

When I grow up,
I'm going to look after her.
(KNOCKS ON WINDOW)

She's the coolest mum
in the world.
Most of the time.

Those are the houses
on the other side of the wall.

That girl goes to
the other school.

This is Uncle Peter,
my mum's brother.

Uncle Peter moved again, Mum!

You haven't forgotten
that dole interview at
3:00, have you?

-No.
-(CHUCKLES)

KAREN: He lives with us.

We're Protestant.

This is our street,
Glenbryn Park.

I don't know why it's
called a park,

cos it's a road.

That's Dawn, my
mum's best friend.

-All right, Karen? Is
this your homework?
-Yes.

Guess you don't want me
saying nothing rude to
your teachers, do you?

-Oh, Dawn!
-What?

KAREN: Sorry, Mrs Lawson.

My best friend Sonia.
She used to live there.

But her and her mum
moved away. A lot of
people have moved away.

My mum works here. She says
she comes here for a rest.

She means from me.

This is our school,
Wheatfield.

-My mum says it's better than
any other school around here.
-(CHILDREN PLAYING)

And this, this is me. Hello!

Don't!

That's Holy Cross, the school
opposite ours. They wear red
because they're Catholic.

-ALL: Fenians! Taigs!
-BOY: Shut up!

BOY: (SIGHS)
I'll have to start over.

CHILDREN: # They ask us,
where do we come from?

# We tell them
we're from Holy Cross

# They ask us, we tell them

# They ask us,
where do we come from?

# We tell them
we're from Holy Cross

# They ask us, we tell them

# We're from Holy Cross

# We're from Holy Cross
Who we are
We're from Holy Cross

# Where do we come from? #

Tony, are you deaf?
School or else!

-Have you seen my ribbons?
-No.

You tell him one thing, he
does the opposite. He could
sleep through the Olympics.

If you touch that
again, you're dead!

Right, I'm away here, Ann.

I've got a fare booked.
I want to be early for it.

See you later, girls.

Bye, Daddy.

-You're going to be late.
-That'll be a change.

We'll get you ribbons when
you go to school in
September, okay, Tootsie?

Right, come on,
you two monkeys.

-Bye.
-Mum...

Come on, out, out, go, go.

Works better with bread in it.

(DOOR BANGS)

-(CAR HONKING)
-Off the road!

Do you not listen
to a word I say?

-I said stand still.
What did you do?
-The opposite, Mummy.

-Sorry, Mummy.
-Go on, you'll be late.

-Siobhan?
-Siobhan.

You work hard, love, okay?

-What does "opposite"
mean, Mummy?
-Go on, Trouble.

No sign of Jackie again.
We'll have to go on without
any minutes, unless...

Thanks, Sarah.

-I spent this morning with the
Community Police Liaison Crew.
-Great. The CPLC again.

-Statistically, they said,
there's not enough att*cks...
-They're taking the piss!

-I don't believe this.
-...to warrant
extending the wall.

See if they lived
here for a day.

So, we need find
other solutions.

-Like what? Move out?
-Uh, that's what they
want, isn't it?

We move out, and they
move the Fenians in!

We need to start by reporting
every single att*ck.

How come we never get nothing?

So, every time some
wee Fenian who throws
a stone or a firework,

we're supposed to
call the cops?

-They'd do us for
wasting police time!
-I know you're upset.

By the time the cops get
here, the Fenians have
pissed off. We need a wall!

-These things take time...
-Harry, we don't have time.

Any money, they'll walk in
here, they'll walk all over us

and they'll have us out
of our houses by
the end of the year.

-Aye, my house is
on the front line.
-It's our house, Sarah.

We need that wall, now.

I know, but you know
how these things are.

They don't happen overnight.

They throw paint at my house
and they put bricks
through my windows.

Like, I've put everything
that I've got into that
house, we all have,

but I can't move my house.

-We're all in the
same boat, Sarah.
-No, Harry, we're not.

You live one street away
and that might as well
be the other side of town.

-I'm sorry.
-No. Sorry is not
enough any more.

Mountain View, that
used to be mixed.

See those houses there?
They used to be ours.

And the same there
and there and there.

And where were the cops then?

We're surrounded. Why wait?

Give them to the first taig
you see. Tell them...
Tell them it was nothing.

(DOOR SLAMS)

Have a go on the slide.

(SIGHS) They're worse
than bloody kids.

At least kids have sense!
But, I mean our Peter...

Like, we're sitting there
talking about the
safety of the house

and the safety of the street
and all he can
come out with is,

"Oh, it's our house, Sarah."

-There's a chance he
might wise up.
-You think so? He's a man.

(SCOFFS)

They'll not force us
out. We'll get that
wall, I promise.

-Oh, I hope so.
-And don't you be
worried about Karen.

She could do worse than
turn out like her Ma.

-I'll say one word. Me.
-(BOTH LAUGHING)

-Right!
- Who wants a story?

-CHILD: I do!
-Yeah...

Yes.

-What about a scary story?
-(CHILD YELLING IN EXCITEMENT)

MAN 1 ON RADIO:
92 to 95 FM.

MAN 2 ON RADIO:
It'll be dry and
breezy today...

-(REVVING ENGINE)
-(IRISH MUSIC PLAYING)

Gentle!

-Ulster's effin' finest.
Come on, who's up?
-Come on.

Don't be looking
at me like that.
I've done my back in.

How? Getting out of bed?

(IRISH MUSIC CONTINUES)

-Hey, bud.
-Yo!

-Take that piece
of shite down.
-What?

-That comes down, or you do.
-Yeah, I'd like to
see you try, Provie.

(ENGINE REVS)

-Look out! Look out!
-(CAR TYRES SCREECHING)

The obvious benefits
of introducing
an enriched curriculum

to the school
are shared learning...

-Headmistress,
I'm sorry to interrupt...
-Excuse me a moment, please.

(MEN SHOUTING)

I'm really, really sorry
for interrupting you.

No, you did right.
How did it start?

It's Tuesday,
I think it's our turn.

Mrs Tanney, how are we
going to get home?

Don't worry, it'll be fine.

-Get them inside, now.
-Okay.

Okay girls, I'd like you
to line up, please!

You lying bastard.
You drove at us, first.

Aye, after you
smashed my window!

-TEACHER: Please follow me,
very, very quietly.
-Where's my daddy?

TEACHER: Thank you.
No running, thank you.

We can put our flag
where we want to, boy.

Everyone, just calm down.

-I'll not miss next
time, so I won't.
-Let the children through,

-and then we can talk about...
-Ah, talk. What the hell
good did talk ever do?

The children are
trying to get home.

-They're not getting through.
-They have nothing
to do with this!

This is about you. Not them.
This is not your road!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

-My kid's up there.
-This is our road.

Your road?

-What's that up there?
-Those are our streets.

-That's our Catholic school.
-That school shouldn't
even be there.

Your days of walking
up here are over.

-They're our f*cking
Catholic kids!
-Aye, in our f*cking area!

Ignore them?
You can't miss them.
Like night and day.

Between the slamming
doors and ignorant looks,
my brain's addled.

-Tony's a teenager, Ann. It's
his job to wind your Gerry up.
-Well, he's good at his job.

MARY: Lock him in his room.
That should keep him
out of trouble.

ANN: Who? Gerry or Tony?

(BOTH CHUCKLING)

(ALL SHOUTING)

-(ENGINE REVVING)
-For Christ's sake!

-They're just wee girls!
-Mary! Let us through!

-No one's getting through.
-My girl's up there!

They're murdering each other.

I'll go in by myself.
Please, just let me
go through!

-(BOTTLES SMASHING)
-WOMAN: Jesus Christ!

The girls are safe.
Primary one to seven is
empty. That's everybody.

Good. We'll assemble them
like we do
for our fire drills.

Only today we'll
send them home out the
back by St Gabriel's.

Okay.

Come on, Gerry, come on!

(MOBILE RINGS)

(BOTTLES SMASHING)

Had his dad seven years.
Never walked away
from a fight in his life.

He'd look after the place
when you're not around.

I don't know. I know
which one the kids would like.

He doesn't look the sharing
type. That's all I'm saying.

-(MOBILE RINGING)
-What's he called?

Yes, love?

Psycho. Nah, I'm only
messing. Dusky.

Una. Una, just
calm down, love.

TEACHER: Come on,
everybody. Be very careful
coming down the hill.

The bigger girls at the back,
watch the smaller ones. Okay?

(GRUNTS)

Siobhan, just leave it.

(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)

Oh, f*ck it!

Siobhan! Siobhan!

-(BREATHING HEAVILY)
-(CAR HONKING)

(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)

(HORN HONKING)

-I'm sorry, Mummy!
-Shh, it's not your fault.

You're safe now.
It's all right, darling.
It's all over.

But I lost my homework.

That's nothing to what
I thought I'd lost.
You're not hit or anything?

I'm okay. I didn't see
anything. I just...

Siobhan, this isn't your
fault, love, none of it.
You hear me?

-Kylie's in the car.
-Is she okay?

Come on, pet,
let's get you inside.
Call your mummy.

Oh, decided to
show your face.

Teacher said we had to
wait for the trouble to stop.

-Fenians.
-Lucky I got you
back at all then.

Better get her home.
They've been going
buck mad out there.

I'm not leaving you
on your own, Dawn.

You're not.
Home, or else.

I don't want to hear you
using language like that,
do you hear me?

Sorry, Mum. Everyone at
school says they want us
out of Glenbryn.

I don't want to leave.

Let's just see what happens
when you run out of walls
for your Britney posters.

Come on, before
the shops close.

You mean before it
kicks off outside again?

Right, before it kicks
off outside again.

Siobhan? Ann? Siobhan!

(CHILD GIGGLES)

Hey, Tootsie. Hey, Kylie.
Come on, let's go in,
love. It's getting dark.

But it's daytime, Daddy.

No, come on,
we'll play
inside, Aoife.

Come on, Kylie,
you come in too, love.

-You can be Janey, Daddy.
-Aye, all right. Hey,
where's your mummy?

Hey, where's my princess?

-I hear you had the boys in
the street fighting over you.
-No, they were...

We'll have to get you
some security, woman.

Maybe hire a couple
of bouncers.

"Hey, that's it,
that's enough now.
No more photographs,

"no more autographs.
Miss McClure wants
to be alone. Wait!"

Ah, there you are. I knew
you were there somewhere.

Hey...

-(WHISPERING) Do you want
sausages for your tea?
-With chips?

Talk about Daddy's
wee favourite!

Gerry...

Ann, I'm awful sorry, love.

I know. I should have
been here. I should
have had the mobile.

I'm sorry, love.
I'm awful sorry.

I just kept
imagining the worst.

Well, I promise you,
the worst is over, all right?
It's over. Come here.

(SNIFFLES)

Riot police had to protect
children and parents at a
school in North Belfast

this afternoon, after
they were att*cked by a
g*ng of stone throwers.

-(KNOCK AT DOOR)
-REPORTER: It happened at
Holy Cross primary school

-on the Ardoyne Road.
-I'll get it.

Police then had to
separate rival groups after
a standoff developed...

-Hiya.
-It's okay. She's fine.

Jesus, Seamus, that's
some love bite.

He'll have the matching pair
when I get him home.

Bloody Hun tried to
close the school.

Well, look, the main thing
is they're all okay, right?

Wankers.

If they want to start
something, we finish it.

And next time,
we'll be ready for them.

You missed it.
I swear, I've never seen or
heard nothing like it.

How many have you had?
This is Glenbryn.

Nothing changes here.
Nothing happens here,
nothing good, I mean.

We stood together there.
You should have
been here, man.

Speak to my dole advisor.
Maybe they can
change my category,

"actively seeking riots".
Mmm.

Beer.

I'm drinking
your beer. That's the only
thing that's changed.

You're wrong and
you're staring at it.
I wasn't here last night.

Those weren't there last
night and neither was that.

That's cos of us.
Not the politicians, us.
You hear me?

(YELLING) Come on! Come on!

-You think they heard that?
-Couldn't miss it.

We did it. We shut them out.
This is our road again.

Hmm, it's early yet.

Is today Saturday?

You know, Seamus was saying
Gary had to use a wheel brace
to protect himself?

Well, it must be true, then.
No, love, it's Tuesday.

It's like every other
fight around here, never
matters who starts it,

-it's never over.
-Is it a special day, then?

No, darling, it's just a
normal day in Ardoyne.

But what's right
is right. Right?

Is that why we're
having chips?

It's in the oven, love.

Lights!

I was at a mate's, all right?

-Bollocks.
-Gerry!

If you've been out
causing trouble,
I'll find out about it.

-Worse than a prison.
-What did you say?

Gerry, let it go.

We won't find out cos
he was at a mate's house.

And you.

You are not to use
that language like that.
Is that understood?

Yes, Mummy, that's a bad word.

Good girl. It's a sad day
when we have to follow
our children's lead.

How many times have
you heard me warn him
about leaving those lights on?

All right.

"f*ck" is a bad word as well,
Mummy, isn't it?

(SNICKERING)

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)

(MOBILE RINGING)

Sean?

No, it's all right,
I can talk.

Yeah, I can hear it
and I can see it.

No, it's no problem. I should
be able to marshal for
a couple of hours.

Yeah, see if you can stop
as many as you can
getting up Alliance Avenue.

I'll head on up
to the peelers' line.
Give, uh, look...

I'll ring you in a couple
of minutes, mate, yeah?
All right, bye.

(GLASS SHATTERING)

You're going out after
what happened today?

Especially after what
happened today, love.

The girls sleep easier
when you're here.

This way, maybe everybody
will get some sleep tonight.

You won't even
notice I've gone.

Sure.

-(GLASS SHATTERING)
-(SHOUTING CONTINUES)

(DOOR BANGS)

(DOOR BANGS)

-Mum?
-Are you okay?

I can't sleep.

Do you want me to sleep
in here beside you
to keep you company?

(WHISPERING) It's all right,
love, we're safe in here.

Really?

Of course we are.

It'll blow over in the
morning. It always
does, doesn't it?

Then why are you
still whispering?

Because it's dark.
Close your eyes,
now, love.

-Did you bring the phone?
-Of course, Toots.
Go to sleep now, love.

-(YELLING OUTSIDE)
-(LOUD SMASHING)

(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)

It's okay, it's only
wee lads messing off.

(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)

Right, party's over, boys.
I'll have that.

-You, get home, now.
-Go home?

Oh, yes.
Fancy your chances,
do you? Go on!

Get out of it! Go on!

-(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
-(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)

(BANGING)

(BANGING CONTINUES)

Turn that off! Turn it off!
Go to your room now, Karen.

-I'm not asking,
I'm telling. Go!
-(DOOR OPENS)

PETER: (DRUNKENLY)
Sarah, it's only me!
I've lost my keys.

Hi, Sarah, can I...

(SHUSHING AND GIGGLING)
You're waking Karen up.

(MEN SNICKERING)

SARAH: Come on.

Pretend it's daytime.
It's safer in daytime.

It's bright. The sky's blue.
People smile.

It's always safer in daytime.

Pretend it's daytime.
It's safer in daytime.
Pretend it's daytime.

It's safer in daytime.
Pretend it's daytime.
It's safer in daytime...

REPORTER 1: Public enquiry
starts today to find out if

Harold Shipman m*rder*d
hundreds of his patients.

REPORTER 2: There was rioting
in North Belfast last night,

following an incident
yesterday at Holy
Cross primary school.

Police called to keep rival
factions apart were themselves
a target of att*cks,

but the area is now calm.

Peter! Peter!

-Waken up now!
-I'm up. I'm awake.

I am this close to
kicking you out.

I am sick seeing you
like this, always
lying about the house.

Look at yourself!

And get him out of my house!

-You're not my ma.
And this is our house.
-Who pays the mortgage?

-Who organises the bills and
who cleans your mess?
-I do my share!

Karen does more than you do.
Peter, listen to me, because
I can't do this any more.

Look at yourself!
Open your eyes!

What's going to change
it? Nothing! What's
going to change you?

God, if looks
could k*ll!

She's a real ride
when she's angry.

She hates me, right?
She's right. You
should listen to her.

(DIALING)

Don't you have school
kids to go and bully?

(SCOFFS)

-Morning, Uncle Peter.
-Morning.

(SNIFFS)

(SNIFFS)

Are you all right, Princess?

-You're up early.
-So?

-Gerry!
-What?

In one ear, out the other.

-Mobile!
-Mobile.

Daddy, will you take
us to school today?

(SIGHS)

Good parking, Dawn.
When are you
putting in for the test?

Sorry, mate.

I've gotta run. Later.

They'll only be back
again tonight, you know?

Are you gonna just
stand there or you gonna
do something useful?

(SIGHS)

Harry. What's happening?

Nothing.

You can't do this.

We've no option but to
close the road. We can't
guarantee your safety.

What do you mean our safety?

There's only a dozen
or so of them. You're
protecting them, right there.

Look at them.
Standing there,
laughing at us.

I walk up here every day.
I'm not walking
the long way for you!

-Take it easy, big man.
-Move back, sir, it's
for your own protection.

Look, they're the ones
causing the trouble.

Do your jobs, why don't you?
Move them back.

OFFICER: McClure.

Move back.

Oi, you! What the hell
are you doing here,
you Provie bastard!

You're dead!
You hear me?

-I'll take Siobhan
round the back.
-You heard me? You're dead!

-You Provie!
-Gerry, you hear what I said?

There's parents taking
their kids 'round
through St Gabe's.

-Daddy...
-No kid of mine is going to
school through a back door.

It's not a back door,
it's a field.

Do you know how long it
takes to walk around that way?

Listen to yourself. They're
doing you a favour, come on.

You could do with
the exercise, come on.

It's all right, love.
The bad boy's just playing.

(CROWD YELLING
AND TAUNTING)

(MOUTHING)

I'm sorry, the
school's closed.

Oh, that's great,
the Prods will
just love that.

The Board of Governors
feel that because of
the tension in the area,

we have no option but to
close the school today.

So, what? Just ignore
what we want, is that it?
Come on.

It's in the best
interests of the girls.

Please, I know you're upset...

I would have thought an
education was is in the
best interests of the girls.

(ALL MURMURING AGREEMENT)

Come on, love.

That's very funny.

That's the new you. I thought
you'd be back in bed.
How's the head?

-Which one?
-Are you joining us?

See? See that?

It's working. Ben!

Go make us a bacon
bap, would you? Pete?

What? No, it's a bit
early for me.

All right, Sarah.

What are you doing here?

There's a meeting
later on about all this.
You'll be there, right?

I'll check my diary.

Look, I'm all for
doing something,
but closing a school?

Hey. We stopped them walking
to school. We didn't close it.
They did that themselves.

It's about time we stood
on our own two feet.

They won't give us a wall,
we'll make our own.

Most of them are
just out of prison. The
Provisional IRA, Provies.

-I know what a Provie is, Roy.
-What are they doing,
walking up here?

I don't know, Roy,
maybe they're just trying
to take their kids to school.

Siobhan, Siobhan, Siobhan!

-(EXCLAIMS)
-(GASPS)

You missed. Na na na na...

(LAUGHING)

I like it when
you don't go to school.

Uncle Peter, I need one more
interview for my video diary.

Go on, then. It'll have to be
quick, mind you. I've an
important meeting with Roy.

-Drinking?
-Hey...

Free nosh down
at the Concorde.
Fire away. First question.

Why did you steal my
mum's bike and sell it
when she was wee?

Straight in with the boot,
Karen. No holding back,
nothing or anything, huh?

-So, it's the full
Jeremy Paxman, is it?
-Uncle Peter, don't!

No, sorry.

-There's no proof I did it.
-My mum says you told her.

No, see, there's your first
mistake. Don't be listening to
everything your ma tells you.

Sarah's not going to
see this, is she?

You should always
listen to everything
your mummy tells you.

Listen, it was a really,
really rubbish bike.

And if you think about it,
I was looking out for her.
I mean, it was pink.

Pink! There's a reason
why they don't make pink
bikes any more, you know.

-Besides, it's what I do.
-What do you do?

-Annoy you and your mummy.
-Uncle Peter, this is serious.

This has to be
in for tomorrow.

-(PARPS)
-This is your last chance!

What do you want to be
when you grow up?

Uncle Peter, what do you want
to be when you grow up?

(SCOFFS)

(APPLAUSE)

HARRY: Can we have a bit
of order? Please!

I've had my windows put in
twice in the past month,

eight times in
the past six months!

You know, I was cutting the
grass the other day, a brick
missed me by this much!

Please, everyone will
get a chance to
talk if you'll just...

These streets used to be ours!
I remember when it used
to be a nice place to live!

(ALL MURMURING AGREEMENT)

You had your windows put in
one night, didn't you? Your
Karen was covered in glass.

If it's not the Provies, it's
their kids. They keyed my car,
last week. Brand new it was.

My sister's kids are afraid
to even play around here!

I don't care, Harry, I'm not
moving. If I've said it once,
I've said it 1,000 times.

What we need is a wall!

(APPLAUSE)

They get everything they want
and still that's not enough!

-Nothing changes, Norton, eh?
Do you hear that?
-Yeah.

There's going to be a
cross-community meeting.

Better nip home and
change into your riot gear.

-Isn't that the woman
that lives across from us?
-Aye.

This can't go on. We live
side by side and we can't
even talk to each other.

They don't sort this out nice.

She lives behind you and
Gerry, doesn't she?

Well, what's happening?

They got a compromise
that keeps everybody happy.

Mothers and kids can walk
up the left side of the
road in single file.

Piece of piss.

What about the men
who walk their kids
to school every day?

What sort of
compromise is that?

-That's what I said.
-They think all the men
down here are Provies.

(CHUCKLES)

What, him? Matt?

Most of the lads that live
around here have never had
anything to do with the 'RA.

It's like talking to a
brick wall, mate.

And I'm not involved any more.
That was years ago.

The only reason I was
there today was because
of the trouble yesterday,

because Siobhan was too
scared to walk to school
with just her mother.

The kids are safe to
go back to school. That's
the main thing, right?

(SIGHS)

Right.

For God's sake, I thought the
whole point of having this
peace process was so we could

-put all this kind this
crap behind us.
-It is. It is.

-(expl*si*n)
-Aoife! Aoife, come here!
Come here!

-(CAR ALARM BLARING)
-(DOG BARKING)

(CROWD SHOUTING)

No, you listen to me, right?
I'm not having the UDA throw
a blast b*mb on my street

and then tell me I can't walk
my kids to school!

-No way!
-The Board of Governors, we...

-Just do your job.
-You can't give in
to their threats!

Please, we have taken your
concerns into consideration.

May 31st, they threatened
a woman with a g*n,
and it jammed.

June 1st, house on
Alliance Avenue stoned.

June 13th, they drove in
and att*cked our cars.

June 14th, stoned houses.
June 15th, more stones
and paint bombs.

Exactly! Everything they
fire at one of us,

-they fire at all of us!
-That's right.

Now, if you close
that school tomorrow,
what's that say to them?

Holy Cross will be
open tomorrow for pupils
who wish to attend class.

-At last!
-(APPLAUSE)

However, the RUC
have informed us
the road will be closed.

What?

Our kids have a right to walk
that road with their parents,

they have a
right to education!

-The police cannot guarantee
your safety.
-You mean will not?

Families can still bring...

I don't know about you,
but I tell my kid to
stand up to bullies.

I tell her not to be
afraid, because I'm
here to protect her.

-They want a protest. Fine,
we'll get them a protest.
-(APPLAUSE)

We'll meet at
the shops tomorrow,

we'll walk to the police
line ourselves, together.

There'll be trouble
tonight, Gerry. We'll need
to keep a lid on it.

Have you ever tried keeping
a lid on a pressure cooker?

(HUMS TUNE)

I should be back about
12:00 or so, love.

If I'm going to be late,
I'll ring you.

God knows what the hoods
will be up to tonight.

I'm going to the bog, okay?
Would you prefer
I piss myself here?

Oi! Not in front of the girls!

(SLAMS DOOR)

If he goes out or gives
you any trouble, ring me
on the mobile. Yeah?

-Ann?
-Mmm-hmm.

-All right, Tootsie?
-We're going to the shops
cos it's safe at daytime.

That's right, my love.
Now, listen.

You be a good girl for your
mummy, when I'm out. Yeah?

-And you stay away from those
windows at the back. Yeah?
-What are you doing here?

You're a dirty Provie,
you're a dead man!

(IMITATING g*nf*re)

REPORTER 1: It's become part
of the school day for these
parents of Holy Cross pupils,

the walk to police
lines, knowing there
is no way through.

REPORTER 2: And then
starts the long trek
around the back,

through the grounds of
a neighbouring school...

REPORTER 3: Pupils were
able to get to classes
by going through...

REPORTER 4: The situation
remains. The children still
have to go to school

via another route.
Mervyn Jess,
BBC News, North Belfast.

I'm just saying,
nothing's simple any more.

We can stand here till kingdom
come, but there's still
the door at the back.

-At least the Provies
are off our roads.
-And doors can be shut.

What do you mean?

REPORTER 1: Army technical
officers examined
a suspicious object

found attached to
the school railings.

This security alert was
the latest disruption
in a week of tension...

REPORTER 2: This is the
most sinister development
in a week of tension

for the 220 pupils
of the school.

With just four days remaining
until the end of term...

REPORTER 1: The summer
holidays will create
a breathing space

away from the tension
of the daily...

REPORTER 3: The device,
which later turned out
to be a hoax,

closed Holy Cross
primary school for the day.

(expl*si*n)

-(BANGING)
-There's somebody out there!

-Karen...
-I'm here, Mummy.

Mum, phone the police, please!

No, they'll go away
if we stay up here.

-(GLASS SHATTERING)
-Mum?

No, they think there's
no-one here. They'll
go away. I promise.

-They'll have gone by the time
the police get here. Oh, God!
-(CRASHING)

Mummy!

Peter, he's got
the all-fired phone.

(BANGING CONTINUES)

(DIALING)

(SILENCE)

They've gone.

It's okay, love,
they've gone.

It's over now, love.
They've gone.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(DRUMMING AND WHISTLING)

Come on, sleepyhead.
It's not called the
Glorious Twelfth for nothing.

-(DRUMMING OUTSIDE)
-Do you hear that? See?

Things always seem better
in the morning. Was I
right or was I right...

Mum?

Mum, what is it?

Dawn, what are you doing?

Something I should have
done a long time ago.

Charlie, leave that, will you?
Get Billy to take that one.

He's gonna do his back
in again, I know it.

Dawn, please don't!

-Charlie, leave it!
-Sarah, are you okay?

Give it a few more
nights, Dawn. We'll get
the wall we want.

-This is your home!
-Home is where you look
forward to going after work.

Home is where you take
little things for granted,
like a night's sleep or

not being afraid to put a
light on for fear of getting a
brick through your window.

Bricks and mortar.
That's all that is.

And it's not worth dying for.
They want it that bad,
they're welcome to it.

And if you had any sense,
you'd do the same.

I don't have
anywhere else to go.

Look, I know you grew up here,
I know how much you love it,

but anywhere, anything
is better than this.

Dawn, please don't go.
If you go, I'm on my own.

You said you wouldn't move.
You said, "I'm not moving."
You promised.

Yeah, well, that was
then. This is now.

You take care of
yourself. Okay?

Are we going to
move out, Mummy?

Come on, you, let's get
you some breakfast, huh?

Then maybe we'll give
the A-Team a call, huh? Mr. T.

BA? Murdoch?

Jesus wept, they teach 'em
nothing at school these days.

Karen, you should
be filming this.

This is history happening,
here. Your uncle's
doing some work.

Some Twelfth, eh?

What do you think?

-I like it.
-Welcome
to Fortress Norton.

No, I'll clear up
this mess first.

(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)

SARAH: Karen, come away
from the window, love.

Siobhan, lights!

Right, turn them on now.

Straight through, you get the
front. Go. Straight through.
Straight through, good girl.

Like when we went
to the caravan.

Exactly like when we
went to the caravan.

Don't I get a say in this?

This room's safer. It's at
the front of the house.

You ready for this?

Okay.

Daytime, night time,
daytime, night time,
daytime, night time.

(CONTINUES REPEATING)

-Day, ni... Day...
-Uh, I win!

That's 10 cups of tea you
owe me when you're bigger.

-Double or nothing?
-(GIGGLES)

Daytime, night time,
daytime, night time.

Daytime, night time,
daytime, night time,
daytime, night time.

(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)

(GLASS SHATTERING)

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(DOOR CLOSES)

-Lights.
-Do you know what
your problem is, Tony?

You know nothing,
but you've got a smart
answer for everything.

-I wonder why that is.
-Don't flatter yourself, son.

You're nothing like me.
You're just a hood.

You can't stand it, can you?
That I'm the one out there.

You're a big man when it
comes to pushing kids
around, Gerry-atric.

You're such a f*cking loser.

(YELLING) If I hear
so much as a whisper

that you're out on those
streets again running with
that pack of losers...

-What's going on?
What's going on?
-Ask him.

-We'll talk tomorrow.
-I haven't finished
with you yet!

Do you know what he was doing?

What do you expect?
He's your son.

You knew?

What do you want
me to do? Say,

"Don't be a bad
boy, Tony, don't do
what your father did?"

-I was doing what was right.
-Daddy...

-Siobhan, you go back to bed.
-Bollocks!

You were in prison, I was
doing what was right.

I was doing what had
to be done. I was here.

Looking after our son!

Oh, a grand job you did. He's
a real credit to you. Must
make you feel really proud.

When he starts to keep
Semtex under the floorboards
of our house,

then I'll worry.
Siobhan, upstairs!

-Please, stop shouting!
-Bed now! You know what's
the matter with him?

You're not here half the time!

He's following the same old
footsteps and so am I.

And we never talk about it.
Nothing's changed, Gerry.
Nothing!

Everything I did,
I did for this family.

All I want is to protect
you and the kids.
Can you not see...

(VEHICLES APPROACHING)

REPORTER: Children from
the Catholic Holy Cross
primary school

in North Belfast return
to school today.

For the first time since
Loyalists blockaded
their route in June.

The talks to resolve
the dispute haven't
reached a solution.

Some Protestants say
they'll try to block the
entrance again today.

AMERICAN REPORTER: We begin
with a terrifying morning

for Catholic schoolgirls
in Northern Ireland...

(REPORTER SPEAKING PORTUGUESE)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

Hey! How's the birthday girl?

Darling, the first day is
the worst. It'll get easier
after this, I promise.

-I cried my first day.
-Really, Siobhan?

-Aye, buckets! We had to
go out and buy a new carpet.
-(GIGGLES)

Now, listen, your big
present will be waiting

for you when you get
home from school, right?

-Mummy.
-Mum's gonna bring it
'round, later, right?

-I know what it is! it's...
-Ah!

It's a surprise!

Now, come on and we'll blow
out these candles together
and make a wish. Tony?

Now if somebody wishes
for a puppy, they
shouldn't tell anybody.

Because you can only
say the opposite, otherwise
it won't come true.

Tony!

Happy birthday, Tootsie.

Right, are you ready?

ALL: One, two, three...

Go, go, go, go,
go, go! Oh, yes!

-Daddy...
-What, love?

Are we walking up
the road today?

REPORTER: The Chief Constable
himself has promised that
the children of Holy Cross

and their parents will
walk to class through the
front door of their school,

after they've
walked up the road.

A spokesperson said this
action by the Chief Constable

had disenfranchised the
Protestant community.

They're gonna force 'em
through. The cops are
gonna force 'em up our road.

-(BANGING ON WINDOW)
-ROY: Get out here now!

The peelers are clearing us
off our road. We need
everyone out now!

-Are you coming or what?
-I have to take
Karen to school.

But you'll be there, right?

They drive out Dawn.
They drive out the neighbours.

You gonna sit here on your own
till they drive us out too?

-Since when did you care?
-Look, Sarah...

You're the one who told me
to wake up. Now,
you listen to me.

The only thing that is
going to change this is that.

I've never seen nothing
like that before.

That's not just Roy and his
UDA mates, that's everybody!

We don't have
to take it any more.

I still have to think of
Karen, Peter, you don't...

They hide behind their kids.
You gonna do the same?

(DOOR SLAMS)

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

Come on!

(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

The school suggests that
parents might want to use
the alternative access.

-If you choose to...
-Alternative access, my arse!

-We're walking.
-Is it safe to take the
kids through that?

Do you want Aoife's
first day at school being
dragged through a field?

-Did you hear me say that?
-(CAMERA CLICKS)

Look, what's right is right.
They're not going to school
through a mucky field.

End of story. If those cops
had done this from day one,
we wouldn't be here, now.

Excuse me. Are you afraid
to walk up the road?

I just want to take my kids
safely to school. Okay?

Is that what you
wished, Mummy?

Darling, if I told you
that, it wouldn't come
true, would it?

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

-This way, Karen.
Just hold tight.
-(MEN JEERING)

This way. Excuse me. Excuse
me. Sorry, coming through
with a child. Excuse me.

Sorry, I have to
get through...
No! Oh, my God!

-Hold on! Karen!
-Mummy!

-Karen! I've lost my daughter!
-(GLASS SHATTERING)

Karen!

My daughter's in there!
Karen!

-Karen! My
daughter's in there!
-Mummy!

Karen!

(CAMERAS CLICKING)

You okay?

You're all right, love.
At least we don't have to walk
'round the back, this time.

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

-Mummy.
-Karen!

-Mummy.
-Karen.

-I'm sorry, Mummy.
-No, it's not your fault.

Look at her. Look what
you've done to her!

Look at her. She's just 10!

Does she look like a rioter
to you? Does she? (THUDDING)

We were just trying
to walk to school!

Are you happy now? You got
what you wanted! Are you?

(DISTORTED SHOUTING)

(INAUDIBLE)

Fenian b*tches! Go on,
you wee Fenian b*tches!

(JEERING AND TAUNTING)

Scum! Scum!

Get out! Scum!

McClure, you Provie bastard!
You're f*cking dead!

You'll not be living
in that house too much
longer! You hear me?

Using your child like that,
you're scum!

-You Fenian bastard!
-Don't listen to them, love.

Just keep walking.
We're nearly there,
we're nearly there.

(JEERING CONTINUES)

Oh!

Oh, Jesus! It's piss!

-Animals, you're animals!
-(LAUGHING)

It's nearly over,
close your ears!

You're all right?
Are you all right, love?

The bad men keep shouting.

I know, love. I know. I don't
like it when the bad men
shout either.

But... But, I wish they'd
go away as well.

But, it'll get easier
tomorrow, okay?

Do you really
believe that, do you?

The ugly face of sectarian
hatred was all too apparent

at the gates of a Belfast
school today,

as terrified Catholic children
ran the gauntlet

of an angry Protestant mob.

REPORTER: The first day
of school

and a riot police escort is
needed for pupils and parents.

Some of them the target of
stone throwers,

as they went
through the gates.

-(GLASS SHATTERING)
-And in the midst...

Setting it?

REPORTER:
...five and six year olds.
The police promised...

Using their kids
to walk up our road.

Karen, love, time to
get ready for bed.

(REPORTER CONTINUES
IN BACKGROUND)

What's he doing there?

You walk Karen up to
school everyday.

When do you ever see him
walking his kids up our road?

When?

-Never.
-Exactly. Never.

He's not walking
his kids up to school.

He's walking all over you
and me and your Karen.

b*ating us off our road
for monsters like him?

Should be in prison,
where he belongs.

Bloody cops won't be happy
till we're all dead
in our beds.

Using their kids like that.

They're monsters. That's
what they are, monsters.

The RUC have assured me

that the Perspex tunnel
will not be deployed
again tomorrow.

I think they recognise that
today could be improved upon.

-Improved upon? The problem
was their bloody tunnel.
-Wasn't their tunnel.

It was the protesters. They
shouldn't have been there.

It's a nightmare. That's what
this is, a nightmare.

Look, what happened
today wasn't human.

The governors are right.
I'm not putting my girls
up through that tomorrow.

What? You're walking away?

To put my daughters
through that wasn't human.

What? So, you're saying
I'm not human?
Is that what you're saying?

No, that's not
what I am saying.

What? I am not fit to walk
past their doors?

I'm not human,
cos the UDA says so?

Holy Cross today,
St Gabe's tomorrow,

the other three Catholic
schools the day after that.

Is that what you want, Sean?

If that was a g*ng
of skinheads blocking
a street in England,

we'd shift them then.

Aye. But because
our girls are Catholic

and they're Protestant,
it's okay to ignore us?

Exactly! Gerry, talk to him.

I don't know, Matt.

If they could've
k*lled the girls today,
they would have.

What, you're listening to him?

Well, people don't
change overnight.

Some things come to
the surface, but they
don't change.

They're monsters, you hear me?
Monsters!

I'm just saying.

Everyone has to make their own
decision, their own choice.

And I've made mine.

Sean, wait a minute. Sean!

Look. I fixed it.

See, you can't even
see the tear.

It's like it never happened.

Please, Mummy.

I want to leave.

I don't want to live
in Glenbryn any more.

(SHUSHING)

You're just scared.

Don't be.

I'll look after you, okay?

I'll protect you.

(WHISPERING) Okay.

REPORTER 1: The headlines
this morning.

Parents in North Belfast
decide whether to take
their daughters

back along the main route
to Holy Cross primary.

REPORTER 2: It's one
of the ugliest examples
of sectarianism

the public has seen
for many years...

You all right, Ann? Gerry?
How's it going?

All right. Fine.

You all right, love?

Come on, darling.

MARY: I went to that school.
We all did.

I don't want to walk
over anybody.

I just want to walk
my kid to school,

safest way possible.

You ask any mother what comes
first and they'll give you
the same answer: their kids.

REPORTER: What about
the death thr*at from
the Red Hand Defenders,

on the Holy Cross parents?

MARY: You bloom where
you're planted.

Now that is a brilliant
wee school

and the girls would not
be happy anywhere else.

Look at him.

Coward!

I don't know how he can show
his face, using the back door.

GERRY: You know what, Matt?

You can be a real assh*le
sometimes, mate.

We need everybody
to stick together,

as we go past the protesters.

The front broke
forward yesterday,

it leaves you exposed.

You have to stick together.

(CROWD CHANTING)
Scum! Scum! Fenian Scum!

Scum! Scum!

Fenian Scum!

(CHANTING CONTINUES)

-(CHANTING FADES)
-Scum! Scum! Fenian scum!

(SARAH ALONE)
Scum! Scum! Fenian scum!

You should be ashamed
of yourself, walking your...

(SILENCE)

(SIGHS) I can never...

You see the way her wee face
lit up when Spike
ended up here after school?

Collie was the right choice,
wasn't it?

Gerry, tell Matt you've
changed your mind.

(MOCK KISSING) Come on, boy.

Oh, fine. Ignore me.

What... What if they
took a sh*t at you?

What if they hit the girls?

They know you.
They know what you've done!

Yeah, "done."
Past tense, Ann.

Way past tense.

Every time you go up that road
you put the girls at risk.

I am protecting them.

Look, what would you tell them
in 10 years' time?

We did nothing.
We walked away.

While they threatened
our kids. Mary's kids.

While they closed that school.

Is that your answer? Is it?

I don't have the answer!

ANN: I... I am not worried
about 10 years down the line.

I am thinking about
how to get through tomorrow
and the day after that.

(SIGHS)

I am not walking up that road
with you tomorrow.

I am taking them
'round the back.

No daughter of mine
is going to school
through the back door.

Right, over my dead body!

Well, Gerry, you go on
the walk tomorrow,

there's plenty of them
up there who'd be
happy to oblige.

Right. Fine!
I'll take them up by myself.

I can't do this any more!

It's too hard
on the girls... It's...

I know, I know.

(ANN SOBBING)

Look...

You think this is easy for me?

I know you're scared.

Christ, I'm scared.

Look, we'll get through this.

-I promise you...
-Oh, Gerry I...

Don't make promises
you can't keep, no...

These people,
they look at you,
they don't see what I see.

They don't see my husband,
they don't see a father.

I can't change how
they see me.

What's right is right...

-...and you know it!
-Oh f*cking here we go.
You know, once...

I would really like to talk to
Gerry McClure, the father,

not Gerry McClure,
the voice of the people.

(DOOR SLAMMING)

You okay?

The people you saw,
on the road

are not bad people.

They're just people like us.

They're angry that they're
being treated like nothing.

And nobody listens
and nobody cares

and they're just scared.

They're just people like us.

And if they do something
that seems wrong,

it doesn't mean
that it is wrong.

Cos sometimes,

the right thing
seems wrong and...

If people call them monsters,
for making kids cry, well...

I have to cry for you.

And monsters don't cry.

Where'd Daddy go, Mummy?

Aoife, come on.

Is Daddy coming back soon?

Aoife, for God's sake,
hurry up.

Kylie's got plenty of dolls
you can play with.

Good girl.

I've been married
for 20 years.

Gerry going to prison,
raising Tony.

Gerry getting out of prison,
I thought the worst
was behind me.

You know, Ann, this isn't
just about you and Gerry.

No matter what we...
(SIGHS)

No matter what I think or what
I decide, I'm doing wrong
by the girls.

I'll have to answer
to them in 10 years

and if I do the right thing...

I don't have the answer now.

I can't breathe.

Knowing the things
they have seen, things
they shouldn't have seen.

They're different. Harder.

Oh, Gerry.

I'm losing my family.

What is wrong with going
through St Gabe's?

Oh, nothing.

Nothing at all.
Only, if we all don't walk,

we all lose the school.

It's never over, is it?

No. It's never over.

(DOOR SLAMMING)

Mum!

Mum, are you here?

Mummy!

Dad?

(DOOR SLAMMING)

(DOOR OPENING)

(LOUD THUDDING)

(GLASS SHATTERING)

Clear off!

They're just kids
mucking about.

They're not kids, Roy.
They're hoods.

And hoods are
no help to anyone.

-You all set for tomorrow?
-Yep.

Round three. Ding ding.

Come outta your corner
fighting.

Klaxon. Check.

(WHISTLE BLOWING) Check.

Hello, Pete.

-(GROWLING)
-(LAUGHING)

Hey, cheer up, Sarah.
It might never happen.

What if it already has?

Here, Sarah.

Why the long face?

(SNICKERING)

(WHISPERING) Gerry.

You have to talk to Tony.

I'll get Seamus to give me
a hand and put some grills on
in the morning.

(HAMMER THUDDING)

f*ck you! f*ck you all!

You are all animals!

(BREATHING RAPIDLY)

REPORTER 1: No sign of an end
to the standoff.

We're live in North Belfast,

at the Holy Cross primary
school, where the army is
out in force this morning.

REPORTER 2: Parents
in Belfast vow to take
their daughters

past Loyalist protesters,
for third day running.

(DRILL WHIRRING)

(MUFFLED POP MUSIC PLAYING)

Karen, is everything
all right?

Karen?

(CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING)

Less fear today.

Maybe the worst's over.

You look tired.

We're not walking
down the road today.

Look, Ann, we've
had this argument, love.

They are not second class
citizens, neither are we,

we're not taking them
'round the back, right?

I wish you would listen
to me just once.

(SIGHS)

I'm taking them, by myself.

I want you here.

You want them to die in
this road for the principle,

you want them through
the front door
of their school, fine.

I'll do it.

But I'll do it alone.

All these years,

by my side,
knowing who I was.

You do this now?

Jesus, I ain't doing
nothing wrong here...

This isn't about you.

OFFICER: Keep together.

You have to stick together.

ANN: You're right, Gerry.

I am tired.

-Come on, darling.
-Mummy?

Daddy's gonna walk with us,
Mummy, isn't he? Please?

Daddy, no!

Don't go, Daddy, please!

I want Daddy.
I want Daddy to come!

Daddy, no! Daddy! No!

Siobhan! Siobhan, come back!

Siobhan, what are you doing?
Mummy's looking after you.

Ann! Come on.

(CROWDS TAUNTING)

Can you see Mummy, Daddy?

(CROWDS CHANTING) Scum! Scum!

(INAUDIBLE)

(CHANTING FADES)

(INAUDIBLE)

(expl*si*n)

(SHRIEKING)

Siobhan!

(SCREAMING)

WOMAN: sh**t the bastards!
sh**t them!

Siobhan!

(CROWD SCREAMING)

(SHOUTING IN PAIN)

Mummy!

(ALL CRYING)

It's over.

I promise.

It's over now.

(CHILDREN CRYING)

Sarah?

Sarah!

Sarah, are you all right?

Excuse me. Were you here?
What did you see?
What, what happened?

Yeah, I, I was here...

Uh, something was
thrown at the cops, right?

Not the parents or the kids.
The cops.

That's what happened.

No, Sarah, wait.

At least they'll
listen to us now.

Do you realise what
you've done?

I did nothing.

I was just here.

-You lose something?
-Hmm.

REPORTER 1: Children make
their way to
a Belfast primary school.

The Northern Ireland
secretary called it
"the path to barbarism."

REPORTER 2: Some here claim
the b*mb had been directed
at security forces,

and that it had been
thrown by someone
from outside the area.

For a time, it seemed
to cause a rethink
about future protests.

I am ashamed today,
to say that I am a Loyalist.

I'm totally ashamed

that anybody would do that

when young Catholic girls
are coming up here.

Totally ashamed.

MAN: My recommendation to
people would be,
forget the protest,

-because nobody's hearing
what's going on now...
-(DOOR OPENS)

Billy Hutchinson.

Bit late to be talking sense
now, isn't it?

Kids finally got to sleep.

Never thought I'd
listen up, but...

Had to give Siobhan a Calpol.

(SIGHS)

MARY: Ann?

They're saying
it's over, girls.

Where's your mum? Upstairs?

Twelve weeks terrorising
our kids and they get
what they want.

This country's sick.

(CRYING)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

MARY: Ann!

It's over.

(WAILING)

It's over, Ann.

(SOBBING)

REPORTER: Some news
just in,

Loyalists in Belfast have
tonight suspended
their protest at

Holy Cross girls' school

in the Ardoyne area
of North Belfast.

This week, the protest had
entered its 12th week...

They say we're
getting ramps, CCTV

and a turning circle
at the school.

(APPLAUDING MOCKINGLY)

That is class.

Pure class. Nice one.

So, is this what
winning feels like?

Harry, we are going to get
the wall, aren't we?

Yes, CPLC said that...

Sarah.

Not exactly overnight.

But still, 12 weeks, not bad.

(DOOR SLAMMING)

SARAH: Karen, you there?

(DOOR CLOSES)

Karen?

Whatever you think of me

and what I have done,

if it was wrong,

I could lose everything.

But, I'd have nothing
if I lost you.

You're the one thing
I've done right, Karen,

and I know that sorry is not
enough, but it's all I have.

You know you can always
talk to me, right?

WOMAN: McClure?
Siobhan and Aoife McClure?

Siobhan back at school yet?

It's her birthday tomorrow.

Look, I've told the other
mothers, these tranquilisers
are strong.

So, make sure you don't
exceed the stated dose,
all right?

-(DOOR SLAMMING)
-(BELL RINGING)

I don't like it when you
don't go to school.

You know what I wished for?

Shhh. Mummy says if you tell,
it'll never come true.

You can only say
the opposite.

Mummy says that's allowed.

I wished...

I wished Daddy would
stay away forever.

(CHILDREN SINGING)

# They ask us where
do we come from

# We tell them we're
from Holy Cross

# They ask us
We tell them

# We're from Holy Cross

# We're from Holy Cross

# Who we are

# We're from Holy Cross

# Where do we come from #