Tragedy meets 'social realism' in Welsh-language film hailed a 'sensation'

Tragedy meets 'social realism' in Welsh-language film hailed a 'sensation'6 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJennifer JonesBBC WalesTarian Cyf / S4CLeisa Gwenllian stars as EffiThe director of a new Welsh-language film released in cinemas across the UK says the reaction has been "amazing".Effi o Blaenau follows a young woman - Effi - as she grapples with unemployment in the north Wales town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, before a night out drinking dramatically alters her life.Time Out said the film was a cross between "Greek tragedy" and "British social realism", calling actress Leisa Gwenllian - who portrays Effi - "formidable", while The Guardian described the film as a "sensation".Gwenllian said she hoped the language and landscapes of Wales would draw people in, adding: "[People] have not really heard these sounds before or seen these amazing views."Tarian Cyf / S4CGwenllian previously appeared in Sky's Under Salt MarshEffi o Blaenau (Effi from Blaenau) is an adaptation of Gary Owen's play, Iphigenia in Splott, but relocated from Cardiff to Gwynedd.Directed by Marc Evans, whose previous work includes Mr Burton, the film follows Effi as she navigates being out of work, clubbing and hangovers.A chance encounter at a nightclub with injured soldier Lee, played by actor Tom Rhys Harries, gives Effi a brief glimpse at a different life - until a difficult reality follows.Evans said the distribution of the film, at major cinemas across the UK from Friday 18 June, was "amazing"."One of the ambitions of making a film in Welsh is that it's not just shown to Welsh people... it travels," he said."One of the joys of cinema is being transported to a place that you didn't know of before or another culture, another language."Getty ImagesTom Rhys Harries, of Netflix's White Lines, appears in the film alongside GwenllianEvans said the main th...