The BFI announces TOO MUCH – Melodrama on Film – a new season celebrating the vivid visual language, heightened dramatics and emotional pathos at the heart of film melodrama, inviting film audiences to follow their emotions. United by their emotion driven plots, vivid visual language and self-conscious audience manipulation, these films are designed to make you break down in tears, cause a scene, fall in love, feel something. Presented by the BFI at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX and by the BFI Film Audience Network (BFI FAN) using funds from the National Lottery at cinemas and venues across the UK, TOO MUCH will take place from October- December 2025 via programmes of special events, talks and screenings. TOO MUCH will also be available UK-wide online via a curated collection of films available to stream on demand on BFI Player.
The season will explore the world of melodrama through the ages, with films ranging from cult classics to lesser-known international gems. Melodrama is steeped in contradiction. Swooningly romantic, people fall in love at first sight, sacrifice their lives in acts of devotion, find one another across space and time. Simultaneously they are grounded in the trappings of reality: rigid class boundaries, threat of punishment, and fear of scandal loom at every corner. The characters in these films are culturally diverse, from different generations and social backgrounds, but endlessly human and relatable. Their stories shed light on injustice and oppression.
Whilst expansive in its reach and impact across all genres of cinema, melodrama has long been associated with its rare embrace of women’s inner lives and concerns. This expansive drama is employed to express longing, rage and desire in characters facing motherhood, infidelity, exploitation and scandal. The legacy of early ‘women’s pictures’, created for female audiences with their favourite female stars, echoes across generations and around the world. As in life, these women do not always triumph. Imperfectly feminist yet endlessly empathetic, their sensationalist struggles carry searing social commentary beneath the glossy veneer of attention-grabbing colours, lurid plotlines and sentiment.
Accessible but ripe for dissection and reappraisal, while melodrama may lack the recognition of a genre like horror or action, TOO MUCH aims to illuminate melodrama as a key cinematic form, banish the stigma attached to the term, and spotlight how it has created masterpieces of world cinema.
From the early days of cinema and the evolution of the ‘women’s pictures’ of the 1930s and female film stars such as Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck and Claudette Colbert, cult classics and underseen gems, through to work from some of contemporary cinema’s biggest names such as Todd Haynes FAR FROM HEAVEN (2002), Pedro Almodóvar VOLVER (2006), Lars von Trier BREAKING THE WAVES (1996) as well as masterpieces of world cinema. The season will feature screenings of 7 TH HEAVEN (1927, Frank Borzage), IMITATION OF LIFE (1934, John M. Stahl), STELLA DALLAS (1937, King Vidor), NOW VOYAGER (1942, Irving Rapper) BRIEF ENCOUNTER (1945, David Lean), THE LIFE OF OHARU (1952, Kenji Mizoguchi) ÉL (1953, Luis Buñuel), JOHNNY GUITAR (1954, Nicholas Ray), LOLA MONTES (1955, Max Ophüls), STELLA (1955, Michael Cacoyannis) THE CLOUD-CAPPED STAR (1960, Ritwik Ghatak) THE ARCH (1968, T’ang Tsu Shuen), THE BITTER TEARS OF PETRA VON KANT (1972, Rainer Werner Fassbinder), THE SILENCES OF THE PALACE (1994, Moufida Tatli) and many more.
A centrepiece of TOO MUCH will be Douglas Sirk’s colourful, high-octane love story ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS (1955) which will return to cinemas UK-wide on 24 October, courtesy of Park Circus. Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson entrance as the star-crossed lovers at the centre of Sirk’s transgressive, saturated portrait of 1950s Eisenhower-era Americana, class friction and moral values.
Ruby McGuigan, BFI Programme Development Manager and TOO MUCH BFI Southbank season curator, said:
“A story’s emotional heart is what brings us back to it time and time again and allows it to translate across generations and cultures. Melodrama – an embrace of emotion above all – is the lifeblood of great cinema, across decades and geographic borders. Melodrama has always revelled in the squashing of emotions too volatile for everyday life, and the inevitable explosion under pressure. As a young woman discovering these films, I felt understood. Perhaps I wasn’t insane, or ‘too much’. Perhaps life is just overwhelming sometimes. In recent years we’ve finally seeing women’s emotional worlds take centre stage in literature, music and television – there’s a legacy of this in cinema which I believe is often overlooked. I’m so excited to share and discuss with audiences how these films make us feel today, and how these bold stories of melodrama’s heroines have driven some of world cinema’s timeless masterpieces. Don’t forget to pack your tissues.”
The season will be programmed around key themes, Love featuring star-crossed lovers, sacrificial acts of devotion, connections across space and time and melodrama as romance incarnate, Obsession brimming with tales of unrequited love, impossible desires and toxic jealousy, Duty stories of maternal sacrifice, marital constraints and dreams denied simmering beneath the serene surface of family life. Defiance showcasing rebellion in all its forms, both righteous and frivolous, regardless of the consequences, Scandal featuring tales of melodrama’s tragic heroines, who fall victim to its judgmental gaze. Melodrama’s most expressionistic, sumptuous films will also screen at BFI IMAX.
The full UK-wide line-up of screenings, events and touring programmes will be announced soon via bfi.org.uk/too-much
BFI Southbank will play host to a major season from 20 October – 30 December, focusing on the strong cross cultural appeal of melodrama, including titles from Greece, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Tunisia, Italy, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Mexico, Argentina, Russia curated under the five thematic pillars of Love, Obsession, Duty, Defiance and Scandal. BFI IMAX, the UK’s biggest screen, will play host to some of melodrama’s most expressive films, FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE (1993 Chen Kaige), DEVDAS (2002, Sanjay Leela Bhansali) and WRITTEN ON THE WIND (1956, Douglas Sirk). Special events celebrating the expansive melodrama genre will include a keynote introduction with leading academic and author Laura Mulvey and a special day of playful panels and presentations – Melo-dramarama, an immersive day delving into the labyrinth of themes, tropes and quirks of melodrama beyond women on screen, from its embrace by queer audiences to male weepies and soap operas.
Audiences will also be able to stream films from the season at home on BFI Player, with a selection of 20+ curated titles set to include, BODY AND SOUL (1925, Oscar Micheaux), CRAIG’S WIFE (1936, Dorothy Arzner), THE RECKLESS MOMENT (1949, Max Ophüls), VICTIMS OF SIN (1951, Emilio Fernández), CAIRO STATION (1958, Youssef Chahine), RED ANGEL (1966, Yasuzo Masumura), MORGIANA (1972, Juraj Herz), BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2005, Ang Lee), PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE (2019, Céline Sciamma) and THE DAMNED DON’T CRY (2022, Fyzal Boulifa).
August 2025
For many film lovers, driving over half an hour to their nearest cinema is the norm and we do it because films were meant to be watched on a big screen, right? For some audiences, this just isn’t possible for many reasons and the joy of having their own local community screen means they can access films more regularly. It also gives them the chance to learn the skill of choosing films, setting up their own events, or building a regular film club.
We have all sorts of community screens in Wales. From Miners Halls, to village movie nights, established film societies to pop-up films in libraries or town halls. Some screen every month and others run special themed films from time to time.
If you missed our previous blogs on festivals a
nd cinemas in Wales, then you might not be familiar with who we are at Film Hub Wales. So just before we get stuck into Wales’ community cinemas – a reminder that our job is to support Welsh ‘exhibitors’ of all shapes and sizes to bring the best UK independent and international films to Welsh communities year-round. We fund, train and advise, offering them support where needed.
So, what do community cinemas offer? Well, we’re glad you asked! The great thing about them is that they’re usually run by volunteers who love film. So, if you do too, you’re going to meet a lot of likeminded people and hopefully make some friends while you’re at it. They often have top facilities, from screen to sound, to make your experience the best it can be.Take Dinas Powys Community Cinema in Murchfield for example. They screen on the second Saturday of every month and have invested regularly in their facilities from a fixed retractable screen, to ceiling-mounted projector, new control box with two Blu-ray/DVD players, acoustic ceiling panels to eliminate the echo, blackout blinds, and an improved speaker system! Are you as impressed as we are?
If you’re looking for the best indie films from across the world, Abergavenny Film Society is the one for you. We heard on the grapevine that it’s the longest running film society in Wales. Get your membership quickly though, they’re always selling out! Another club known for its top film selections is Fishguard Film Society, where the community film panel help to select films at their Pembrokeshire base, the gorgeous Theatr Gwaun.
At Film Hub Wales, we’ve been working with TAPE Community Music and Film for the last few years to help establish new community screens across the North as part of our Spotlight project. One of the sites, Llangoed Village Hall (Sinema Llangoed), has transformed into a state-of-the-art cinema with 4K laser Epson projector, a new stereo sound system, and a large-format cinema screen – oh and the best Welsh-language, UK indie and international films!
If you’re in the North East of Wales, one not to miss is Halkyn Mountain Community Cinema, with its beautiful mountainous backdrop in Flintshire. Set-up in 2015, they show a film every two months in Halkyn Parish Hall / Library with hot drinks, popcorn and biscuits. Or you’re in Carmarthenshire, Sinema Sadwrn in Llansadwrn regularly show films on the last Friday of each month – from classics to comedies, dramas to foreign language films, animations and documentaries, there’s plenty to choose from. They describe their events as friendly occasions with the pub next door for a pre/post film drink and chat.
We’re also lucky to have the support of not one but two touring providers. Flicks in the Sticks and Moviola. Flicks, which transforms village halls and community spaces into pop-up cinemas is run by Arts Alive around Shropshire, Herefordshire and the Welsh border / mid-Wales. Moviola offers programming and film booking service for community venues as well as touring schemes across the UK, with concentration in the South East of Wales. Both organisations work with all sorts of operators in these regions.
If you’re looking for special events that take you into Wales’ castles, clubs and community centres, then you definitely want to seek out Darkened Rooms. Also one not to miss is Cinema Golau – a platform for emerging Black and Ethnic Minority filmmakers, which brings international Black independent films to a host of local Welsh venues.
With over 120 community providers to choose from, there are so many recommendations we could give you. With that in mind, we’ve put together a full list and a map to help find your local club or event. We’ll be highlighting them our socials, as well as where you can find your nearest festival and full-time cinema. Just a note – we’re not affiliated with all of the sites listed and are not responsible for their activities. Please check their local websites for more information about their current screenings. Many community cinemas take a break over summer and come back with their autumn programme from September onwards.
If you run a community screen and you’re not listed below, this may be because you’re listed as a cinema or mixed arts space but if would like to be added (or you would like to be removed from this list), please get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you.
Welsh exhibitors can also become a member of Film Hub Wales for free and apply for audience development funding as well as accessing training, networking and advice.
Please check the cinema websites for the latest information.
*Organisations may be based outside of Wales and deliver across various Welsh locations.
SXSW festival celebrates the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture, helping creative people achieve their goals, and takes place in Austin, Texas every March. Hub member Robert Corcoran from 73 Degree Films attended 2024’s SXSW Festival to build on his relationships in the industry and attend the premier of Welsh film Timestalker. Akulah Agbami from Sheba Soul Ensemble wanted to attend the 2025 Sydney Film Festival to explore films and open new dialogues and awarenesses with indigenous Australian and Maori women film-makers whose films aren’t very accessible outside of Australia.
“Geographical barriers are clear as many of these filmmakers (travelling to SXSW from all over the world) will not have considered submitting their work to a Welsh (or perhaps even a European) festival previously, therefore meeting someone such as myself, to explain the benefits can set them at ease.” – Rob
Working on behalf of FOCUS Festival, Rob felt his time at SXSW was extremely valuable to grow his network as well as speaking to filmmakers to “convince them of the benefits of submitting their work to a Welsh festival.” Attending the premier of Timestalker also gave Rob an insight into the appetite for Welsh film overseas, providing ideas on how to connect with international audiences. Rob feels his attendance at SXSW resulted in a marked increase in US submissions to FOCUS Wales 2025. “Additionally I managed to meet with key people at the festival to kickstart conversations around how to continue the work and increase ties further.”
Akulah, who is the Director at Sheba Soul Ensemble, who have hosted intimate and inclusive events to celebrate Black women’s film history on screen, wanted to find out how to source films from indigenous Australian and Maori women film-makers. Akulah noted that no First Nations people attended any of the screenings and found the event still has some work to do to represent this community. With this in mind, she still came away incredibly inspired, and delighted to access several brilliant films by Black women directors, managing to watch 11 films and one short with one animation that she hopes to bring to Wales that will appeal to 16-25s and an older queer audience.
“The first time I had the ‘banquet buffet’ film festival experience was whilst working in Sydney for a year after university… But so many things I had forgotten. Like how hauntingly exquisite the State Theatre in Sydney is…For the 72nd SFF edition, I experienced 11 films and a whole lot more.” – Akulah
Rob and Akulah were able to attend these Film Festival’s with the support of Film Hub Wales via our Bursary scheme. If you want to attend a meeting, course or event that would benefit your organisation and develop audiences, but the costs are prohibitive, you can submit an application for support here.
Our Preview Days include screenings of upcoming Welsh-made, Welsh-language and Welsh archive film releases designed to support the wider programming and reach of films with Welsh connections.
The events are exclusively for members of Film Hub Wales and members of Film Hubs around the UK and we supply all attendees with film information packs and offer networking at different member venues across the country. Film Hub Wales can also offer funding towards minimum guarantees, marketing and/or a contribution towards event costs where talent is available.
Upcoming Events…
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June 2025
We’ve not even got to the community screens yet; there are many more of these to mention (and we’ll come back to that in our next blog) but today we’re expressly talking theatrical.
So, where to begin. Let’s start by explaining that it’s our job at Film Hub Wales to support Welsh cinemas to bring the best UK independent and international films to Welsh communities year-round. We fund, train and advise film exhibitors, offering support where needed. We know a film won’t be seen just because it’s good enough and that’s where cinemas come in. Their job is to think about the audience. Who would enjoy this film, how can they be reached and what impact could the film have on local people.
Welsh cinemas are known for being at the heart of their communities, their eclectic buildings and rich histories. They generally offer much more than movies alone.
Take the Magic Lantern Cinema in Tywyn, Mid-West Wales, for instance. Having first screened a silent news reel in 1900 as the town’s Assembly Room, the building has evolved into a much-loved, unique, full-time cinema with house band, secret garden, and cocktail bar. Not only that – they also lead events in the rural community such as opening on Christmas day for local people living alone and create employment opportunities for young people in the town (we’re told their team love it so much, they often don’t want to leave!).
On to the North West of Wales, if you find yourself in Blaenau Ffestiniog, you have to pay a visit to CellB. Based in a converted police station, with two screens and a stunning backdrop of slate mountains, this place is bursting with charisma. Led by Gwallgofiaid, a not-for-profit social enterprise that provides creative training for young people, the site has a hostel, regular gigs and a wood fired pizza oven..
Over in the North East of Wales, we have to mention the impressive renovations at Theatr Clwyd, known as the largest touring theatre provider in Wales. You’ll want to hang out and take in the panoramic views of the town from their new glass-front building, visit their restaurant run by acclaimed chef Bryn Williams and of course, watch a film in their purpose-built cinema opening from July 2025.
We could keep going with this all day… If you’re in South Wales a cinema you can’t miss is The Savoy Theatre in Monmouth.
The oldest working theatre site in Wales, this beautiful grade 2 listed building looks like the cinema that dreams are made of.. Or if you find yourself in Cardiff, there’s Chapter Arts Centre, which has a huge year-round programme of indie film as well as experimental performances, exhibitions and café bar.
Over in West of Wales, there’s Theatr Gwaun in Fishguard. It’s an independent community theatre, supported by a passionate team of volunteers, with cinema, bar and café with a vast selection of events, with the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast just a stone’s throw away.
You could basically map out a journey around Wales, with a cinema on each stop. Sound good? To help with this we’ve put together a full list and a map to help you see where each cinema is. We’ll be highlighting them on our socials, as well as where you can find your nearest festival, film club or community screen.
If you run a cinema and you’re not listed below, this may be because you’re listed as a community screen but if would like to be added (or you would like to be removed from this list), please get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you. Welsh cinemas can also become a member of Film Hub Wales for free and apply for audience development funding as well as accessing training, networking and advice.
After 10 hugely successful years, the final curtain will soon fall on much loved community cinema Monico Movies.
In 2015, a group of local movie enthusiasts were invited by filmmakers Viv and Harley Jones to discuss the idea of opening a community cinema, screening a variety of films. Rhiwbina Community Cinema – a not for profit, volunteer led cinema – was born. It was named Monico Movies as a tribute to the much missed local cinema ‘The Monico’ which opened in Rhiwbina in 1936 and closed in 2003.
Monico Movies started from scratch with no equipment. However, screening films was initially made possible through the loan of equipment from Film Hub Wales and, after the first year as a community cinema group, funding was secured from the Big Lottery to buy a projector and screen.
Monico Movies hosted its first screening, The Grand Budapest Hotel, in October 2015 at Canolfan Beulah. Since then, shows have been held on the 2nd Saturday of each month for ten years. More than 200 films have been screened, attracting a loyal audience, with up to 80 people attending
each month. Five local shops – Serenade, Victoria Fearn Gallery, Ginger Whites, Deri Stores and the Honey Pot – have also supported Monico Movies, by selling tickets. This continued support by the audience and ticket outlets has ensured the community cinema’s ongoing success.
In volunteering to plan and host an annual film programme, the dedicated crew have contributed time and skills, including web and poster design, social media publicity, film research, administration and projection. The volunteer group curated a varied programme across a range of different film genres. These included world cinema, independent films, old favourites, forgotten classics and new releases. One memorable highlight was screening Buster Keaton’s silent movie, The General, with live piano accompaniment. Monico Movies has also been proud to showcase local film makers.
Monico Movies revived the tradition of a regular, local cinema experience for the community in Rhiwbina. Having achieved the milestone of 10 years, the group members have decided the time is right to retire – to hang up the film reels, put away the usherette’s tray and dim the lights one last time.
The final Monico Movies show will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday 12th July 2025, when the Welsh made film ‘Mr Burton’, about the early life of actor Richard Burton, will be screened and the audience of Monico Movies will celebrate their love of cinema one last time.
Contact: Harley Jones
Did you know that Wales is home to 40 festivals of all shapes and sizes? Many of these are dedicated to film, or have regular film offers. Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker looking for a place to launch your next short, or you’re an avid cinema goer seeking out the best new films, our Welsh festivals have you covered.
At Film Hub Wales, we work with film festivals, helping them to bring the best UK independent and international films to Welsh communities year-round. Festivals play a crucial role in film chain. They showcase new talent, often helping them to secure sales agents and distribution deals – reaching new audiences at home and across the world. They’re also known for special events, unique and bold film choices that audiences might not see elsewhere and a place for industry and the public to come together.
So what festivals are waiting to be discovered on your doorstep in Wales? Well, there are at least 40 (that we know of) and this doesn’t include the many more touring events that pop-up in cinemas during the year and wider arts festivals that occasionally screen films. 34 of these are specifically Welsh events and 6 are UK or international events that tour to Wales.
Many of the festivals have unique themes (20 that we count) such as the SeeMôr Film Festival which explores all things coast and sea in Anglesey, there’s Cardiff Animation Festival and Kotatsu Japanese Animation festival, or for the thrill seekers there’s Abertoir International Horror Festival – which is about to celebrate its 20th year in 2025.
Various festivals offer dedicated support for new talent such as Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, Cardiff Mini Film Festival and Focus Wales. For young audiences there’s Wicked Wales and The Children’s International Film Festival of Wales. Phew, we can keep going? For the best new local and global films there’s Wales One World, for a taste of Africa there’s the Watch-Africa Film Festival, Hijinx Unity Festival celebrates disabled, learning disabled and/or autistic artists and our largest film festival in Wales, Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival is home to the largest short film prize in the world. We’re spoilt for choice, right?
As well as a great place to discover new films, if you’re starting out in the film industry and looking for volunteering opportunities, festivals are a brilliant place to learn new skills and make contacts.
Around 50% of the festivals currently take place in the South East of Wales, with the other 50% in North, East and West of the country. Many offer online events alongside their in-person programmes, as we know getting there can be a challenge.
To help with this we’ve put together a full list and a map to help you see exactly where and when each festival takes place. We’ll also be highlighting upcoming festivals monthly on our socials, in case you need a reminder, as well as where you can find your nearest cinema, film club or community screen.
If you run a film festival and you’re not listed below and would like to be added (or you would like to be removed from this list), please get in touch with us. Film Festivals in Wales can also become a member of Film Hub Wales for free and apply for audience development funding as well as accessing training, networking and advice.
The ICO (Independent Cinema Office) runs national Screening Days events, a staple in the independent cinema calendar giving exhibitors the chance to watch the best upcoming film releases from across the globe and discuss them with industry peers. The Screening Days took place in both Nottingham and London in Autumn and Spring where hub members from Abergavenny Film Society, Chapter Cardiff, and Pontardawe Film Club went along to not only see upcoming releases to help develop their programmes but also for invaluable networking and discussions.
Here’s what our members told us about their experience:
These informal discussions are so helpful in sharing best practice and picking up hints and suggestions on marketing appropriate to the films. Meeting with the Film Promoters in person is always appreciated as it makes the booking of the films straight forward.
The ICO Screenings Days provide members with the opportunities to explore new UK independent and foreign language film releases as well as being able to discuss programming of various films directly with the representatives of distribution companies. David Charles Price attended on behalf of the Abergavenny Film Society to explore new UK independent and foreign language film releases. Dave came away with a plan for the next season’s programme, new contacts and potential new partnership with Borderlines Festival where they plan on sponsoring a film. Angie Dickinson attended on behalf of Pontardawe Film Club and found this opportunity significant in the programming for the venue, ultimately amending their original suggestions based off of the outcomes of attending the Screening Day as well as new marketing ideas thanks to meeting Promoters in-person.
It was not only useful to hear about strategies but also essential to demonstrate solidarity and compassion for each other as colleagues in our sector as we move forward and help each other.
Claire Vaughan from Chapter Cardiff attended the Screening finding the in-person films vital to having greater programming knowledge. Having secured bursary funding, Claire was also able to attend the ICO Audience Development day and arrange meeting with other venues in the area who have a similar offering to Chapter, visiting Derby QUAD, HOME Manchester and Phoenix Leicester. The visits and audience development day provided Claire with more in-depth knowledge on young audiences, an understanding of other venues’ strategy on resilience, leading to further meetings, as well as information on audience’s Eco credentials which she was able to feed back to the team and the UKCA policy.
Dave, Claire and Angie were able to attend the ICO Screening Days with the support of Film Hub Wales via our Bursary scheme. If you want to attend a meeting, course or event that would benefit your organisation and develop audiences but the costs are prohibitive, you can submit an application for support here.
Diffwys Criafol is the pen-name of a Cardiff based writer with a deep interest in social class. The themes around her work centre around this subject usually in relation to her own life experience. Find her on Linktree / Instagram
Translated into Welsh by Mair Lannen
“[Welsh culture is] a post-colonial culture, conscious all the time of its own real strengths and potentials, longing to only be itself, to become its own world but with much, too much on its back to be able, consistently, to face its real future” – Daniel Williams on Raymond Williams work in the introduction of ‘Who Speaks for Wales’ 2008
This is a film reckoning not only with the story of one family, but with the dizzying speed of change that has occurred in Wales over the 20th century. Haunted by the past, bewildered by the present and looking to the future with a careful hope.
“Do not go Gentle” was released in 2001 but was set in the period running up to the 1997 UK general election – the climax of the film coinciding with the election results night when “New” Labour won after 16 years of Tory rule. However, this is not just a historic-political film, or a film about the problems of aging in an increasingly individualistic neoliberal society. It goes much deeper. Its portrayal of the family dynamic, speaks to the fundamentals of our psychology as a colonised people. Torn between assimilation into joining and participating in a system of impersonal brutality versus the counter struggle to this – the impulse to hold on to our culture, language, class and place.
For me, the characters are an allegory of the class tensions and directions in the context of Welsh speaking Wales – known in Welsh as ‘Y Fro Gymraeg’. William Davies, the Father, appears to have Alzheimer’s disease and needs to be looked after – but who is going to take responsibility for his care? William Davies, a former quarryman and Elder (Blaenor) in the Chapel is a classic depiction of the traditional Welsh working class man of the 20th Century.
The ensuing conflict between his children on the subject of William’s care becomes a personification of the class tension arising from fluctuating class mobility in families. The eldest son – John Meredydd – who is upwardly socially mobile, Maureen – a single mother, meanwhile, is relegated downwards. Alun Cledwyn, the third sibling is at a crossroads, struggling to hold on to the middle class life he has built while contending with his chronic illness of alcoholism.
John Meredydd, who has physically and mentally distanced himself from the family to make his fortune, now looks down upon his (working class) family with disdain. Maureen is expected to do the unpaid caring labour, raising her three children alone and juggling two jobs. Alun Cledwyn is torn between ‘Y Fro Gymraeg’ and the world, his middle-class aspirations in contradiction to his connection to home, his ‘etifeddiaeth’. The amalgamation of land, community, language, family and Welshness itself – at one point in the film described as a noose around his neck. These are the contradictions of Welshness distilled to its clearest form.
This film also skillfully depicts the human consequences of the privatisation of care. We bear witness to how such state policies rob individuals and their families of their dignity in the last months of life.
The title of this film in Welsh is “Oed yr Addewid” which literally means “The Promised Age”. In Welsh language culture (but originating from the Bible) this saying means that we are “only promised to live to 70” – everything after that is just a bonus apparently! The opening of the film is Willam’s 70th birthday. It feels significant to me that since this film was first released, these precious few years of retirement before our “promised time” is now spent working. Since the Millenium, the one sided class war against us has gone into overdrive. We can no longer expect to look forward to a few years of rest and family time in retirement while we still have their health. Now, many people (my own father being one of them) are working physically demanding jobs well into their 70’s while contending with a range of health conditions.
The depictions of class throughout the film are beautifully thoughtful and nuanced. This is a rare cultural artifact that I feel succeeds in honoring the complexity of class in the Welsh speaking context. This is especially interesting today after what feels like an age of endless austerity since the 2008 crash that has plunged 22% of adults and a third of children into poverty in Wales, with much of this concentrated in the Welsh speaking heartlands.
This is a film that has retained its relevance to our contemporary lives. The simultaneous crises co-occurring within one family, their relationships to one another, and its bravery in dealing with subjects that many of us would frankly rather not face. Death, insanity, class, identity, the loss of meaning. The intensity and existential angst of Welsh speaking communities. Addiction, gender roles and how we treat our elderly are all themes raised in this film. There are plenty of challenging subjects, however, for me, it felt cathartic to watch.
The film is imbued with a sense of determined hope, the dark humour and sharp working class wit in the dialogue helps carry the heavy themes. This was genuinely one the best films I have watched in a long time in any language. Its release is timely – we need to face the issues raised in this film on individual and collective levels now more than ever.
A new scan of Oed Yr Addewid is coming to cinemas in 2025 from The National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive in partnership with Film Hub Wales.
This article was commissioned by Film Hub Wales as part of our Made in Wales strategy, which celebrates films with Welsh connections, thanks to funding from Creative Wales and the National Lottery via the BFI.
It was first published in Buzz Magazine.
A new scan of Oed Yr Addewid (Do Not Go Gentle), a BAFTA winning, politically relevant Welsh language film from 2000 will be re-released in cinemas from March 2025.
From Welsh Director Emlyn Williams, Oed yr Addewid is set in 1997, as Britain reaches a political crossroads following 18 years of Conservative Government rule. The film stars Welsh acting giants, Stewart Jones, Arwel Gruffydd, Gwenno Elis Hodgkins and Gwyn Vaughan. The story follows William Davies, a widower, socialist and retired quarryman, who feels angry and bitter towards a government that has more or less forgotten him in his old age, so he puts a desperate and absurd plan into action. Twenty-five years since its release, the film’s themes of social care, aging and the British state will resonate with audiences today.
Actor Arwel Gruffydd, who plays Alun in the film, reacted to news of the re-release:
“I am very pleased that the Screen and Sound Archive of The National Library of Wales and Film Hub Wales have worked together to create a new digital print of Oed yr Addewid. It was an immense privilege to play a central role in this film 25 years ago, and I have very fond memories of that period, not least of working so closely with the inimitable, late, great Stewart Jones.”
The Screen and Sound Archive of the National Library of Wales and Film Hub Wales, part of the BFI Film Audience Network, have worked together to bring the Welsh classic back to the big screen, which launched at the Llynfi Valley Film Festival at Maesteg Town Hall in March.
The original 35mm film has been re-scanned to 2K quality by R3store Studios, then digitally restored by Gorilla Post Production and prepared for cinema screenings. With the support of Matchbox Cine, English and Welsh descriptive subtitles will also be added for the first time, making the film accessible to a wider audience.
Nia Edwards-Behi, Audiovisual Cataloguer at the Screen and Sound Archive of The National Library of Wales explains:
“We considered a number of films from the archive for this project. We chose Oed yr Addewid because it’s an appealing film that’s also still pertinent in terms of its themes and story. It’s a fine example of an artistic response to the politics of its day, and being able to re-visit that response is so valuable. We’re so fortunate to have an archive full of works like it, and really hope that we’ll see more resources to ensure access to them.”
Hana Lewis, Head of Film Hub Wales adds:
“We work regularly with cinemas and festivals in Wales to increase access to films from the archive’s expansive collection and as part of our Made in Wales project, which celebrates films with Welsh connections. These stories are essential to Welsh on-screen culture, they offer insight into our history and communities, something we are arguably need more of when it comes to films about modern Wales. Unfortunately, there are many barriers that prevent these films being seen regularly, despite audience demand – whether that’s due to lapsed rights, resources to distribute these works effectively, or funds to digitise them and preserve quality. This is why this project is so important. The cost is prohibitive, so as a sector we need to ensure that access to these films is not lost and audiences have a chance to enjoy them for years to come.”
The film is available to cinemas to book for screenings in from late March onwards, with screening dates across Wales to be confirmed.
The project is supported by Film Hub Wales, which is part of the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) made possible thanks to National Lottery funding, to ensure the greatest choice of cinema is available to everyone across the UK. Funds in Wales are administered by FHW via Chapter as the Film Hub Lead Organisation.
More than £30M is raised each week for good causes across the UK by the National Lottery.
As part of the collective BFI Film Audience Network, there are a range of short and long training courses and events to help FHW Members reach new audiences, develop business models, be more accessible, make your activity more environmentally sustainable and much more.
Upcoming Events…
BFI FAN: Relaxed Screenings (Neurodiverse Audiences) Webinar
21 October (12-1pm) – The BFI FAN: EDI in Focus webinar series is back. In this session, Charlie Little (BFI FAN’s EDI Champion) will be joined by Georgia Kumari Bradburn (Stims Collective) to discuss:
→ Relaxed screenings
→ Best practices for facilitating screenings for neurodiverse audiences
→ How you can meaningfully engage neurodivergent audiences
ICO Autumn Screening Days 2025 – 14 to 16 November: Phoenix, Leicester and 17 to 23 November: Online
ICO Spring Screening Days 2026 – 13 to 15 March 2026: BFI Southbank, London and 16 to 22 March 2026: Online
BFI Sustainable Screen – Peer Sharing sessions
21 Oct – Indoor Events: Environmentally sustainable indoor events, including waste, procurement and more – hear about the National Saturday Club’s Summer Show, and the touring New Leaf Film Festival by Cinema for All: Online
25 Nov – Funding: Ethical and sustainable sponsorships and banking, with inspiration from arts venue Exeter Phoenix, and Tipping Point UK (creators of the Bank Better movement): Online
BFI FAN: Developing Your Sponsorship Strategy
4 Nov – 5 Dec – Make your film festival or venue stand out to sponsors and financial partners with a new short course for BFI FAN members. Register by 10 October.
7 Nov – Retrofit fundraising for community cinemas: building sustainable futures for well-loved community spaces: Online
In between this, we have managed to see some films – we’ve been posting regularly on our f/b group about films available on TV / streaming. For us it’s been great to catch up with films that we’ve previously shown but not had time to watch – like A Monster Calls – wonderful film but Sara’s daughter had to give her a cuddle afterwards!
