Y Sŵn

Y Sŵn is a Welsh language film set in Wales which focuses on a Welshman called Gwynfor Evans and his campaign for a Welsh language television channel in Wales.

Y Sŵn
Directed byLee Haven Jones
Written byRoger Williams
Produced byRoger Williams
StarringRhodri Evan
Distributed byS4C
Release date
10 March 2023
Running time
89 minutes
CountryWales
LanguageWelsh

Synopsis

The film is set after Margaret Thatcher became prime minister of the United Kingdom in 1979 with a manifesto that promised to establish a Welsh language television channel.[1]

Gwynfor Evans, Welsh politician

Months following the general election, Thatcher made a U-turn on her promise which led to protests in Wales. At a time of civil disobedience in Wales, Gwynfor Evans went on a hunger strike with a commitment to starve to death until Thatcher's reverted to the promise of a Welsh language television channel.[1]

Showing

Y Sŵn was in cinemas in Wales from the 10–24 March 2023. There were also screenings at the Finsbury Park Picturehouse on 13 March 2023, FACT Liverpool on 20 March 2023, Storyhouse Cinema in Chester on 23 March 2023 and HOME in Manchester on 3 April 2023. The film premiered on S4C on 9 April 2023, and was made available after on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer.[2]

A post screening discussion was held by Hiareth podcast including; Roger Williams (screenwriter,), Dewi Rhys Williams (who plays G.O. Williams in Y Sŵn), Bethan Sayed (former Plaid Cymru Senedd Member and Chair of the Culture Committee), Matthew Hexter (Hiraeth Podcast), Ceri Davies (Hiraeth Podcast).[3]

Significance

Producer Roger Williams said, “After the success that Lee and I had with The Feast we are keen to ensure that more Welsh language films are seen on the big screen,"

“We are all, as a nation, aware of Gwynfor’s stance. But I was also interested in what happened in London, and in the Wales Office, because I am not aware that that story had been told at all"[4]

Williams added that the showing of the film was timely: "I was interested in the debate, and the debate that was happening between London and Wales. As some of those conversations and debates continue to be about the way television is funded and the relationship between Wales and London, and the fact that broadcasting has not been devolved and in the front I felt that the best way for us as an audience to discuss that was through drama."[5]

Review

The film has received a positive review from journalist Molly Stubbs of Nation.Cymru.[6]

A Buzz Magazine journalist gave the film a positive review with 4/5 stars.[7]

A Get the chance journalist also gave the film a positive review with 4/5 stars.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Y Sŵn". Film Hub Wales | Canolfan Ffilm Cymru. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  2. "Y Sŵn review: playful drama about the struggle for S4C". BFI. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  3. "Y Swn (12a)". www.chapter.org. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  4. "Team behind hit Welsh horror The Feast making a film about Plaid Cymru MP Gwynfor Evans". Nation.Cymru. 2022-10-29. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  5. "Safiad Gwynfor tros S4C yn y sinemâu". Golwg360 (in Welsh). 2022-10-29. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  6. "Film review: Y Sŵn". Nation.Cymru. 2023-03-11. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  7. Buzz (2023-03-07). "Y Sŵn: a frenetic new film recounts fight for Welsh-language TV". Buzz Magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  8. Williams, Gareth (2023-03-16). "Review, Y Sŵn, a Swnllyd/Joio/S4C film, by Gareth Williams". Get The Chance. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
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