A young poet in North Wales competes under his bardic name of Hedd Wyn for the Chair, the most coveted prize of all in the National Eisteddfod, but before the winner is announced he is sent to fight with the English in the trenches of the First World War. The wonderful cinematography that starkly contrasts the beauty of his home in Meirionnydd with the horrors of Passchendaele demonstrates the futility of war in this, the first film from Wales to be nominated as Best Foreign Language film at the American Academy Awards.
Filmed in 1992, Hedd Wyn was screened in the Sinemaes tent at the National Eisteddfod. The screening was accompanied with a discussion about the Hedd Wyn music project featuring Aled and Dafydd Hughes from Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog and project co-ordinator Mari Lloyd Pritchard.
Director: Paul Turner
Writer: Alan Llwyd
Filming location: Gwynedd, Wales
Set in: Gwynedd, Wales
Language: Welsh
Cast: Huw Garmon, Catrin Fychan, Ceri Cunnington
Running time: 110 minutes
Certificate: 12
Format: DCP, DVD
Language: Welsh
Date: 4th October 1999
Hedd Wyn was screened at the National Eisteddfod of Wales with a Q&A and live performance from Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog as part of Sinemaes.
This is film is covered by our Made In Wales strategy, which means if you an a Welsh exhibitor you may be eliable to submit a proposal for support. For more information click here.
