For an art still in its relative infancy, cinema has had a great many New Waves — French, German, Australian, Indian, British, Japanese… you get the idea. Now it seems we’re entering the era of the Welsh New Wave, with exciting projects like Madfabulous, Effi O Blaenau, Mr. Burton, and upcoming Aimee Ffion Edwards led western Lluest thrusting Cymru into the cinematic spotlight. And it’s a trend that’s set to continue with the newly announced Mountain, a coming-of-age yarn directed by Madfabulous‘ Celyn Jones and starring Peter Mullan, Iwan Rheon, newcomer Seth Isaac Thomas, and — making her cinematic lead debut — Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka pop songstress Self Esteem.
Currently shooting in Anglesey, North Wales, Jones’ latest — penned alongside Madfabulous writer Lisa Baker — is set in the 1980s and centres around GG (Thomas), a neglected child whose search for friendship leads him into the path of mountain-dwelling recluse Bill (Mullan). Per the movie’s logline, as shared by Variety, “Their lives collide by chance forming a brief but enduring connection, proving that, even though the world can appear cruel, life is inherently good and will find a way to survive.” Taylor — who has earned rave reviews for her turns in the West End’s Cabaret and The Duke Of York Theatre’s Teeth ‘n’ Smiles revival in recent years — is expected to play GG’s mother in the movie. Game Of Thrones star Rheon’s role is unknown as of yet.
Speaking to Variety on Mountain‘s announcement, Jones said: ““I’m honoured to bring a world class team, on both sides of the camera, to my home town of Holyhead on Anglesey. Despite being a fiction, this feels a deeply personal film for me, with emotional themes and humour that many can relate to. I’m really looking forward to bringing it to life and sharing the cinematic beauty of home with the world.” Added star Mullan, who previously appeared in Jones co-penned psychological thriller The Vanishing: “When I read the script, I emailed Celyn and said ‘You made me cry, I’m in!’ It will be great for us to work together again and in such a beautiful part of the world too.”
With production already underway, a starry ensemble gathered, and Jones coming off the back of a surprise crowd-pleasing fave in the form of Madfabulous, there’s plenty to suggest that Mountain will ride that Welsh New Wave and deliver us some more peak filmmaking from Cymru. Da iawn!
