Wales And The Welsh - A Film Project by Gerald Lewis

Bio.

My name is Gerald Lewis and I am a Welshman now living in Portland Oregon. I grew up near Llantrisant, a small town 10 miles outside of Cardiff. After attending Grammar school in Cowbridge I went on to Swansea College of Art, studying photography and film.

Graduating college I was taken on by BBC Wales, where I worked in their film department, starting as an assistant film cameraman and working my way up to Lighting Cameraman.

During this time I worked on many documentaries – some of which have won awards in different film festivals across Europe and Scandinavia.

After several years traveling and working in Europe, (HTV, S4C, Swedish Television) I accepted a position in Saudi Arabia as a documentary producer. It was there I met my American wife and moved to Portland.

Current Project

I am currently working on the production of a documentary – which will examine small cultures living inside of larger, dominant ones, one that will document Wales and the Welsh. 

With the oldest language still in use in Europe and a literary tradition alive since the 6th century, the Celts of Wales have inhabited this corner of Europe since before the Pyramids were built. 

The language and the history of Wales is one of a culture that has survived where many fell to the colonist powers of the recent centuries. Speaking Welsh was extremely restricted for many years, and children found speaking it in school were severely punished.

Despite this Wales has retained it's culture and it's language, to the extent that schools are now actively teaching Welsh, the people of Wales now have their own parliament, there are dual language (English and Welsh) on all road signs and official documents and there is now Welsh language Television and Radio broadcasting.

What is it about Wales and the Welsh that has allowed them to flourish where so many other cultures in a similar position have been absorbed into the larger more dominant one?

I intend to examine the influence of the mountainous, sometimes formidable landscape of Wales and it's influence in shaping the Welsh Character.

It will be a look at the people, concentrating on those that work closest to the land together with the artists and musicians whose work is inspired by their environment. Through interviews and samples of the artists work, overlaid with video depicting the landscape in all it's beauty and splendor, I intend to explore this link.

Support the project here:-  http://kck.st/dNouLw

'Owain Glyndwr: Prince of Wales' by R.R. Davies published by Y Lolfa

Popular Version of Inspiring Glyn Dŵr Story Published

A new concise and accessible study of the life and legacy of Owain Glyn Dŵr, whose revolt against England’s rule of Wales in the early 15th century ensured his status as a national hero, is published this week by Y Lolfa. R R Davies, author of Owain Glyn Dŵr: Prince of Wales, was Chichele Professor of Medieval History at All Souls College, Oxford and was regarded as the main authority on Glyn Dŵr’s uprising before his death in 2005. In his introduction to the original Welsh version of the book he said,

“If there is any subject from Welsh history which deserves to be retold, then it is the story of Owain and his revolt. I have the privilege of having been born and reared in Glyn Dŵr’s own land. In a way this volume is some small repayment for the inheritance I received in that special countryside.”

Owain was voted the most influential Welsh person of the millennium in a BBC Wales poll and revolutionaries from around the world including Fidel Castro have been influenced by his pioneering guerrilla warfare tactics. There have been petitions and internet campaigns for a Braveheart style film on Owain Glyn Dŵr, with names such as Ioan Gruffudd and Matthew Rhys being touted to play the leading role. Publishers Y Lolfa hope that this accessible book will raise the profile of Glyn Dŵr introducing one of the most inspiring stories of Welsh history to thousands of new readers. Lefi Gruffudd, chief editor and former student of R R Davies said,

“We will be sending a copy of the book to Hollywood directors as well as to Welsh film producers.”

Gerald Morgan, who translated the book from Welsh, paid tribute to the author,

“Translating this book was for me an act of pietas and tribute to the Welsh historian of my time whom I admired above all others for his extraordinary combination of a razor-sharp mind with great personal warmth.”

Owain Glyn Dŵr: Prince of Wales, Wales Book of the Month for January, is available in bookshops and www.ylolfa.com for £5.95. Reviews of the Welsh edition:

“Readable narrative that’s more like an adventure novel than a history book.”

LORD DAFYDD ELIS-THOMAS

“Combining scholarship with accessibility, this book gives an eminently readable and inspired account of one of Wales’s most popular heroes.”

ERYN WHITE, PLANET MAGAZINE

"The Jenkins's's's's's" at The Left Coast Eisteddfod

In addition to head lining Saturday nights show at the Left Coast Eisteddfod, Chris Needs will also be introducing the premier US screening of his animated film "The Jenkins's's's's'" on Saturday afternoon during a short presentation on the forthcoming Americymru International Film Festival. "The Jenkins's's's's" won the Best Animation/CGI award at this years Swansea Bay Film Festival. For a short review of the book - "The Jenkins's's's's" see below. BUY TICKETS FOR THE LEFT COAST EISTEDDFOD FRIDAY SATURDAY ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The revealing autobiography, Like It Is, published in 2007 by Y Lolfa told of Chris’s traumatic childhood, his showbiz and charity career as an accomplished pianist and vocalist, and his life more recently as an all-round celebrity. However, this book is a completely different kettle of fish. In her riotous, humour-filled diaries, Gladys tells of her struggle to keep the family’s crazy, mixed-up lives together. Mam’s task isn’t easy though. Her husband Dai is work-shy, son Philllip has a handbag, daughter Shantell is preggers and dog Christopher – or is it Christine? – has had puppies. Just as well Elsie next door is accommodating – she agreed to an adjoining door so they only pay one TV licence. Follow the family from their humble beginnings in the valley community of Ponty Pantin to the sun-kissed Mumbles Bay and foreign parts (including Western Super Mare). Crammed full of outrageous valleys humour, this is an ideal Christmas treat for all of Chris’s fans – and anyone else who needs a good laugh. The book is illustrated with eye-catching colour cartoons by Mark Davies. Chris Needs is a much loved radio presenter with a high profile thanks to his popular weeknight music and chat show on BBC Radio Wales. His cult fan club ‘The Garden’ has over 40,000 members worldwide. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read more about the Left Coast Eisteddfod HERE. Read our interview with Chris needs HERE.

The Americymru International Film Festival

Americymru is immensely proud and pleased to announce that it will be holding the first Americymru International Film Festival in Portland, Oregon between August 23rd and August 28th 2010. The festival will coincide with the Left Coast Eisteddfod which will be held on the weekend of Aug 27th-Aug 29th. The likely final list of film categories for submission is listed below.

"This is the festival that honours the individual voice. Its mission is to provide a worldwide public forum for films made by Welsh & Celtic filmmakers. We also welcome films inspired by or based in Wales ."

To enter a film or video click below

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( For details of this years Eisteddfod CLICK HERE )

Best Welsh Language film

Best Wales based production

Best Celtic language Film

Best Original Screenplay Award

Best Film under 5 minutes

Best Film under 10 minutes

Best Film under 15 minutes

Best Film under 20 minutes

Best Film under 35 minutes

Best Film under 65 minutes

Best Film under 70 minutes

Best Film under 80 minutes

Best UK Short under 5 minutes

Best UK Short under 10 minutes

Best UK Short under 20 minutes

Best American Short Film

Best International Short Film

Best Student Film

Best Young Filmmaker

First Film – North America

First Film – International

Music Based Video / Film

Public Service / Community Award

Best Animation / CGI

Best Documentary

Best Film USA

Best Horror Film

Best American Feature Film

Best International Feature Film

Best Feature Film

Best in Festival

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