Audiovisual Representations of National Identity for Small Nations: Web 2.0, BBC Wales, S4C, ITV Wales, Welsh TV and Film, Modern Writers from Wales, Welsh-North American, Cymreig Culture, Scottish Films, British Films, Sinema Cymru, Celtic music and movies, UK Filmmakers, Irish TV and Film, Cymru. Celtic Folk Music, Welsh Hymnology and Poetry. Le Cinéma Québécois, le cinéma Bretagne et des autres pays Celtiques. Tutte le cose celtiche, britanniche, gaeliche, scozzese e gallese.
The Cyfrwng 2009 conference will be held at the BBC Cymru Wales Broadcasting Centre, Cardiff on 7-8 May and this year’s theme is ‘Audiences’.
During the two day event, an array of speakers, papers and panels will consider many different aspects of media Audiences in Wales from the changes in audience usage of media to issues of regulation and accountability.
Emphasis will be on the specific needs of Welsh audiences in a range of areas including children’s programming and theatre audiences. Attention will also be paid to the impact of new media technologies within the multiplatform era.
The future of news in Wales will also be considered with the plurality of news a key aspect for discussion. The conference aims to bring together scholarly voices and industry professionals and to encourage dialogue between the academy and the media industry.
[Pictured above: Menna Richards, Director, BBC Cymru Wales]
Confirmed speakers include:
Menna Richards, Director of BBC Cymru Wales
Alun Ffred Jones, AM and Welsh Assembly Government Heritage Minister
Professor Sylvia Harvey, Professor of Broadcasting Policy, Lincoln School of Media
Judith Isherwood, Chief Executive of the Wales Millennium Centre
Alun Davies, AM Labour
Alan Edmunds, Editorial Director of Media Wales and Western Mail Editor
Claire Fox, Director of the Institute of Ideas
Elis Owen, Controller of ITV Wales
Professor Kevin Williams, Swansea University
John McGrath, Artistic Director, National Theatre Wales
Elwyn Williams, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
Simon Popple, Director of the Louis Le Prince Centre, University of Leeds
Dr Cynthia Carter, Cardiff University
Keith Towler, Children’s Commissioner for Wales
Tony Wearn, Research Director, BARB
Sangeet Bhullar, Wise Kids
Mandy Rose, BBC Cymru Wales, Creative Director, Multiplatform
Tony Jordan, Red Planet
Nick Beasley, Chief Executive of Audiences Wales
Professor Hamish Fyfe, University of Glamorgan
Simon Marshall, First Light
Siân Eirian, Head of Children’s Service, S4C
Hywel Wiliam, Ofcom Head of Broadcasting & Telecommunications, Wales
Dr Ceri Sherlock, BBC Cymru Wales Commissioning Executive, Arts
Nia Ceidiog, Cynyrchiadau Ceidiog Creations
[Pictured above: Alun Ffred Jones, AM and Welsh Assembly Government Heritage Minister]
The conference programme and registration form are available at www.cyfrwng.com
The programme will be updated regularly.
For further information, contact Dr Rebecca Williams, Swansea University at r.s.williams[at]swansea[dot]ac.[dot]uk
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Adoration of Beauty and the Grotesque, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called William Blake Spirituality: Toward a Theory of Horoscopes, Tarot and Tomorrow's Tea Leaves, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Courage 2 Create, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Grace-filled Empty Spaces, on the World Wide Web.
You may be aware of a BBC Trust project being conducted at CCI by Professor Steve Blandford, Professor Stephen Lacey, Dr. Ruth McElroy and Dr. Rebecca Williams on the topic of ‘Screening The Nation: Wales and Landmark Television'.
Torchwood BBCi Teaser
We are collecting questionnaire responses to representations of Wales, primarily in Doctor Who and Torchwood. We therefore invite anyone who is interested to complete an online questionnaire for the project which can be found at Questionaire English
If you prefer to respond in Welsh please visit Questionaire Welsh
We hope that some of you will be able to take part in this research and we look forward to reading some of your responses. We also encourage you to pass these links onto anyone else who might be interested.
Doctor Who Season 4 Trailer
Dr. Rebecca Williams
Research Assistant
Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Adoration of Beauty and the Grotesque, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called William Blake Spirituality: Toward a Theory of Horoscopes, Tarot and Tomorrow's Tea Leaves, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Courage 2 Create, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Grace-filled Empty Spaces, on the World Wide Web.
BBC National Orchestra of Wales Records Soundtrack for Doctor Who at new home
Dyddiad Rhyddhau: 24 March 2009
Time Travelling Orchestra BBC National Orchestra of Wales is currently recording the soundtrack for BBC Wales' new episodes of Doctor Who.
The Orchestra's music will be heard adding drama to the filmed action of David Tennant and the programme's other stars later this year beginning with the first of four Doctor Who specials on air at Easter.
Some of the Orchestra players took time out during the session to do some time travelling of their own as Doctor Who's TARDIS made a timely stop in Cardiff Bay.
Doctor Who theme tune by Nigel Kennedy - BBC Proms 2008
The Orchestra are performing and recording the music at their new home and venue BBC Hoddinott Hall at Wales Millennium Centre where they moved in January.
The Orchestra are recording the soundtrack for the first time in their new facilities since they began performing the Doctor Who theme tune and soundtrack back in 2005.
Their new studio provides the perfect conditions for them to record, purpose built for their recordings for TV, BBC Radio 3 and for concert performance.
Director of BBC National Orchestra of Wales, David Murray said "We are thrilled that the Orchestra records the soundtrack for this special programme and is associated with excellent BBC Wales' series.
National Orchestra of Wales
As well as being tremendously exciting for the players and the Orchestra team, the opportunity to perform a different style of music helps to showcase the diversity of the Orchestra.
It is also particularly exciting to be recording a soundtrack in our new home for the first time since our move here in January with the excellent recording and performing facilities that BBC Hoddinott Hall offers to the Orchestra".
BBC National Orchestra of Wales received a Beacon Award for Excellence by the Arts Council of Wales in 2008.
Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC yn Recordio Trac Sain Doctor Who yn ei chartref newydd
Dyddiad Rhyddhau: 24 Mawrth 2009
David Tennant fel Dr Who
Ar hyn o bryd mae Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC yn Teithio drwy Amser yn recordio trac sain penodau newydd Doctor Who ar gyfer BBC Wales.
Clywir cerddoriaeth y Gerddorfa yn ychwanegu drama at anturiaethau ar ffilm David Tennant a sêr eraill y rhaglen yn ddiweddarach eleni gan gychwyn â'r gyntaf o bedair rhaglen Doctor Who arbennig ar yr awyr dros y Pasg.
Cymerodd rhai o chwaraewyr y Gerddorfa hoe fach yn ystod y sesiwn i deithio drwy amser eu hunain pan roddodd TARDIS Doctor Who dro amserol am Fae Caerdydd.
Mae'r Gerddorfa'n perfformio ac yn recordio'r gerddoriaeth yn ei chartref a'i hoedfan newydd, Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC yng Nghanolfan Mileniwm Cymru lle'r ymfudodd ym mis Ionawr.
Dyma'r tro cyntaf i'r Gerddorfa'n recordio'r trac sain yn ei chyfleusterau newydd ers iddi ddechrau perfformio arwyddgan a thrac sain Doctor Who dro'n ôl yn 2005.
Gallifrey - Doctor Who
Mae ei stiwdio newydd yn cynnig yr union amgylchiadau iddi recordio, wedi'i chodi i'r pwrpas ar gyfer ei recordiadau i'r teledu, BBC Radio 3 ac ar gyfer perfformio cyngherddau.
Meddai Cyfarwyddwr Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC, David Murray "Rydym wrth ein bodd mai'r Gerddorfa sy'n recordio trac sain y rhaglen arbennig yma a'i bod ynghlwm â'r gyfres ragorol ar BBC Wales.
Ar ben bod yn aruthrol o gyffrous i'r chwaraewyr a thîm y Gerddorfa, mae'r cyfle i berfformio gwahanol fath o gerddoriaeth yn helpu i roi stondin i amryw ddoniau'r Gerddorfa.
Mae hefyd yn arbennig o gyffrous cael recordio trac sain yn ein cartref newydd am y tro cyntaf ers i ni ymfudo yma ym mis Ionawr a chennym y cyfleusterau recordio a pherfformio rhagorol sydd gan Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC i'w cynnig i'r Gerddorfa."
Enillodd Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Cymreig y BBC Ddyfarniad Cwmni Disglair gan Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru yn 2008.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Adoration of Beauty and the Grotesque, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called William Blake Spirituality: Toward a Theory of Horoscopes, Tarot and Tomorrow's Tea Leaves, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Courage 2 Create, on the World Wide Web.
Click here to go directly to my personal blog page called Grace-filled Empty Spaces, on the World Wide Web.
[Pictured above: David Rose, former head of Channel Four Drama.]
David Rose at the ATRiuM
Event Date May 14, 2008 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location – ATRiuM, Cardiff
David Rose, one of the most significant figures in the history of British film and television drama will be visiting the ATRiuM in May.
The evening will start with a glass of wine at 5.30 in the ATRiuM then moving to the Auditorium where a compilation of David’s work will be shown, followed by an on-stage discussion and question and answer session ending at 8pm.
During a long and distinguished career in drama, first in the theatre and then in film and television, David Rose has been involved with a quite remarkable list of projects, as producer, executive producer or commissioner, which reads like a history of ‘quality’ British television drama, and latterly feature film at both the BBC and Channel Four where he was the first head of film.
In a remarkable career David Rose has worked with and helped nurture some of the key figures in British film and television of the last forty years including Troy Kennedy Martin, Ken Loach, Alan Plater, Willy Russell, Alan Bleasdale, Alan Clarke, David Hare, Mike Leigh, Neil Jordan, Peter Greenaway and Stephen Frears.
The event is free and open to all. If you would like to attend contact Naomi Wells at njwells[at]glam[dot]ac[dot]uk
[Pictured above: Aberystwyth overlooks the Irish Sea.]
CYFRWNG 2008 CONFERENCE
Aberystwyth University 1-2 May 2008
New Platforms :: Convergence
The Cyfrwng 2008 conference will be held in the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, on 1-2 May and this year’s theme is ‘Convergence – Cydgyfeiriant’. During the two day event, a range of speakers, papers and panels will consider how the media in Wales are rising to the challenge of a digital, multiplatform world.
The conference programme will be published on this website shortly but we are urging people to register as soon as possible and to book their place at the conference dinner which will follow the Cyfrwng 2008 award ceremony on Thursday night 1 May.
The dinner will be hosted at the Council Chamber in the National Library but space is limited! Come back to the website soon for full programme details but speakers include:
[Pictured above: Dr David Barlow, University of Glamorgan]
Dr Mike Cormack, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
[Pictured above: Phil George, National English Language Theatre]
[Pictured above: John Geraint, Green Bay Media Limited]
Rhian Gibson, S4C Director of Commissioning
Janet Lewis Jones, BBC Trust
Prof. Tom O’Malley, Aberystwyth University
Elis Owen, Managing Director ITV Wales
[Pictured above: Prof. Mike Pearson, Aberystwyth University]
Arshad Rasul, Director of Technology, S4C
[Pictured above: Dr Heike Roms, Aberystwyth University]
Mandy Rose, Creative Director: Multiplatform, BBC Wales
[Pictured above: Ceri Sherlock, Multiplatform Commissioning Executive, BBC Wales]
[Pictured above: Prof. Elan Closs Stephens, Aberystwyth University]
Prof. Ioan Williams, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
Rhodri Williams, Ofcom Wales
For further information, contact Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones or Rhodri ap Dyfrig on 01970 622533.
Bydd cynhadledd Cyfrwng 2008 yn cael ei chynnal yn Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru yn Aberystwyth rhwng 1-2 Mai a’r thema eleni yw ‘Cydgyfeiriant – Convergence’. Dros gyfnod o ddau ddiwrnod, bydd amrywiaeth o ddarlithoedd a phaneli difyr yn trafod sut mae cyfryngau Cymru yn ymateb i her yr oes ddigidol, aml-lwyfan.
Caiff rhaglen y gynhadledd ei chyhoeddi ar y wefan hon cyn hir ond rydym yn annog pobl i gofrestru mor fuan â phosib ac i sicrhau lle yng nghinio’r gynhadledd fydd yn dilyn seremoni wobrwyo Cyfrwng 2008 ar nos Iau 1 Mai.
Y bwriad yw cynnal y swper yn Ystafell y Cyngor y Llyfrgell Genedlaethol ond mae nifer y llefydd yn gyfyngedig, felly cyntaf i’r felin! Dewch nôl i’r wefan am fanylion llawn y rhaglen ond dyma rai o siaradwyr y gynhadledd:
Dr David Barlow, Prifysgol Morgannwg Dr Mike Cormack, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Phil George, Theatr Genedlaethol cyfrwng Saesneg John Geraint, Green Bay Rhian Gibson, Cyfarwyddwr Comisiynu S4C
Janet Lewis Jones, Ymddiriedolaeth y BBC Yr Athro Tom O’Malley, Prifysgol Aberystwyth
Elis Owen, Rheolwr Gyfarwyddwr ITV Wales Yr Athro Mike Pearson, Prifysgol Aberystwyth
Arshad Rasul, Cyfarwyddwr Technoleg S4C Dr Heike Roms, Prifysgol Aberystwyth Mandy Rose, Cyfarwyddwr Creadigol: Aml-lwyfan, BBC Cymru Ceri Sherlock, Gweithredwr Comisiynu BBC Cymru Yr Athro Elan Closs Stephens, Prifysgol Aberystwyth Yr Athro Ioan Williams, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru Rhodri Williams, Ofcom Cymru
Am fwy o wybodaeth, cysyllter ag Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones neu Rhodri ap Dyfrig ar 01970 622533.
From the article entitled, "Bagpipers honor Irish who fought for Mexico"
By Chris Hawley, USA TODAY
"MEXICO CITY — Every month, a wail of bagpipes reverberates through a plaza in downtown Mexico City, causing startled passersby to stop and stare.
Then, from behind the bullet-scarred walls of an old fortress, a platoon of Mexican bagpipers emerges through the gates — paying tribute to an obscure but divisive chapter of history involving Mexico, Ireland and the United States.
The ceremony honors the St. Patrick Battalion, a group of 600 Irish-American soldiers who switched sides to fight for Mexico in the 1846-1848 Mexican-American War.
On St. Patrick's Day, many Mexicans will raise a glass to commemorate the "Irish martyrs" who are regarded as heroes in a war that still arouses passions here.
"It's a little bit of a weird twist on history … and quite romantic for the Irish community," said Myles Doherty, the Irish consul in Mexico City.
[Pictured above: brutal branding of Irish soldier / male sado-masochism depicted as a reality of war in One Man's Hero (1999) starring Tom Berenger, Don Wycherley, Ilia Volokh, Wolf Muser, Luke Hayden, and Gredd Fitzgerald]
The battalion's story begins with Ireland's Potato Famine of the 1840s, which forced thousands of Irish to emigrate to the USA and other countries."
You might be asking, with such a bizarre story, had anyone made a film, yet?
The article tells us:
"The San Patricios were seen much differently in the USA, even by fellow Irish immigrants, said Ian McGowan, archivist at the Institute for Irish-American Studies at the City University of New York.
"For a good 40 or 50 years, they were almost completely forgotten about," McGowan said. "The unofficial position of Irish who were looking to become Americans in the 19th century was not to discuss them."
"Recently, Americans have begun to pay more attention to the battalion. Several books have been written in the past decade and the 1999 movie One Man's Hero was about Riley."
Plot summary for One Man's Hero (1999):
"One Man's Hero" tells the little-known story of the "St. Patrick's Brigade" or "San Patricios," a group of Irish immigrants who deserted to Mexico after encountering religious and ethnic prejudice in the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War.
The plot centers around the personal story of John Riley, an Irishman who had been a seargent in the American Army who leads the brigade, as he leads his men in battle and struggles with authorities on both sides of the border.
One Man's Hero, directed by Lance Hool was nominated for the 2000 'Outstanding Director of a Feature Film' ALMA Award (American Latino Media Arts Awards).
Tony Whitehead is Cinema Programmer at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff. He also works as a part-time lecturer in film at the University of Glamorgan. His book on Mike Leigh has just been published by Manchester University Press.
Tony Whitehead in among the film students' favourite lecturers at the University of Glamorgan, Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries ATRiuM (CCI) Film & Media department, currently teaching 'Screen Language' and other courses.
Tony Whitehead's new book on Mike Leigh is actually enjoyable, not to mention that Leigh himself endorsed it.
It's a wonderful trip down memory lane, revisiting every character and hilariously tragic line of dialogue from Bleak Moments to Vera Drake. Vanessa Gildea, Film Ireland --Vanessa Gildea, Film Ireland
Mike Leigh may well be Britain's greatest living film director; his worldview has permeated our national consciousness.
This book gives detailed readings of the nine feature films he has made for the cinema, as well as an overview of his work for television.
Written with the co-operation of Leigh himself, this is the first study of his work to challenge the critical privileging of realism in histories of the British cinema, and place the emphasis instead on the importance of comedy and humour:
of jokes and their functions, of laughter as a survival mechanism, and of characterisations and situations that disrupt our preconceptions of 'realism'.
Striving for the all-important quality of truth in everything he does, Leigh has consistently shown how ordinary lives are too complex to fit snugly into the conventions of narrative art.
Developing characters and narratives through meticulous processes of improvisation in preparation and rehearsal, Leigh has led his collaborators in creating a body of work that is utterly distinctive.
From the bittersweet observation of "Life is Sweet" or "Secrets and Lies", to the blistering satire of "Naked" and the manifest compassion of "Vera Drake", he has demonstrated a matchless ability to perceive life's funny side as well as its tragedies, establishing a unique niche in the British cinema as both humorist and humanist.
Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Manchester University Press (1 May 2007) Language English ISBN-10: 0719072379
The Centre for the Study of Media and Culture in Small Nations Announces Cardiff ATRiuM Calendar of Events . . .
In the Autumn Term and beyond we will be building on our research work through an exciting series of lectures, symposia, publications and other projects.
ATRiuM move:
The Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries has moved from the University's Treforest campus to our new ATRiuM home in Cardiff city centre. With ‘state of the art’ facilities this will offer exciting opportunities for joint work with new partners.
Symposium: ‘The Representation of Welsh Identity Abroad’ 13-14th November 2007
On 13th and 14th November 2007 the Centre for the Study of Media and Culture in Small Nations is hosting a symposium on The Representation of Welsh Identity Abroad. The Keynote Address will be delivered by First Minister, Rhodri Morgan AM, on the evening of Tuesday 13th November.
[Pictured above: Welsh National Assembly First Minister: Rhodri Morgan]
On Wednesday 14th November, a diverse group of arts and cultural practitioners and academics will address the symposium theme through a series of focused conversations and group exercises. These discussions will be set within the context of what is now a key economic sector, the creative and cultural industries.
[Pictured above: The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.]
We are most fortunate to have Dr Betty Belanus, Curator at the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, as a participant at this symposium. Dr Belanus is currently a Visiting Research Fellow with the Centre for the Study of Media and Culture in Small Nations.
The symposium will be held in the ATRiuM, the University of Glamorgan’s new faculty in Cardiff city centre.
Please contact Jackie Aplin (address below) for a registration form and further details.
Public Lecture on Small-Nation Filmmaking by Professor Mette Hjort, 5.30pm Weds 28th November 2007
Pictured above: Dr. Mette Hjort]
Mette Hjort was born in Denmark but educated in Kenya, Britain, Holland, Switzerland, Canada and France. She did her B.A. and M.A. at McGill University in Quebec, Canada, where she did a thesis on Kant and art under the supervision of the Canadian philosopher and political theorist, Charles Taylor.
She holds a so-called ‘nouveau doctorat’ from the Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris. Her dissertation, entitled ‘Le procès du spectacle’ was written under the supervision of Louis Marin and focussed on anti-theatricality (pamphlet literature and treatises) in seventeenth century France and sixteenth century England.
Mette Hjort was for many years Associate Professor of English at McGill university, where she was Director of Film and Communications.
She moved to Denmark in 1997 for personal reasons and is currently on leave from her position as Professor in the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies at Aalborg University.
Mette Hjort is interested in the history of drama, critical theory, philosophy and literature, and minor cinema. She has published The Strategy of Letters (Harvard UP) and, with Ib Bondebjerg, an interview book entitled The Danish Directors: Dialogues on a Contemporary National Cinema (Intellect).
She is editor or co-editor of Rules and Conventions (Johns Hopkins UP), Emotion and the Arts (Oxford UP), Cinema and Nation (Routledge), The Postnational Self (U of Minnesota P) and Purity and Provocation: Dogma 95 (British Film Institute Publications).
'Small Nation, Global Cinema', a book focusing on the challenges faced by small nations in an increasingly globalized media culture, was recently published by the University of Minnesota Press, in the Public Planet series.
A monograph on Stanley Kwan's 'Center Stage' is forthcoming with the University of Hong Kong Press, in the Hong Kong Film Classics Series.
Mette Hjort is Series Editor, with Peter Schepelern, of a new Nordic Film Classics Series that will feature books by James Schamus (on Dreyer's Gertrud), John Hall and Charles Lindholm (on Bent Hamer's Kitchen Stories,) and many others.
Distinguished academic Professor Mette Hjort will be speaking at ATRiuM at 5.30pm Weds 28th November. In her only public talk in Wales, Professor Hjort will deliver a lecture on The 'Advance Party' Initiative: Scottish/Danish Solutions to the Problems of Small-Nation Filmmaking.
'Advance Party' is a Scottish Dogme project which sets out to do for Scotland what director Lars von Trier's Dogme 95 had done for Denmark. Professor Hjort will examine how this unique model of transnational filmmaking helps to provide solutions to the problems of small-nation filmmaking.
Professor Hjort is the Leverhulme Visiting Professor of Film Studies at St Andrews in Scotland and Professor of Visual Studies at Lingnan University in Hong Kong. She has published Small Nations, Global Cinema, and co-edited volumes including The Cinema of Small Nations, Cinema and Nation, The Postnational Self and Purity and Provocation: Dogme 95.
Smithsonian Institution Visiting Fellow
Folklorist Dr Betty Belanus, Curator at the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, has joined the Centre as a Visiting Research Fellow and is undertaking preparatory work for the Smithsonian Festival's focus on Wales in 2009.
2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Washington, DC
Since arriving, Dr Belanus has been engaged in an active period of fieldwork which has also involved consultative planning visits around Wales.
Smithsonian Internship
Glamorgan postgraduate student Dr Aparna Sharma has successfully completed an internship which was developed in collaboration between the University of Glamorgan and the Smithsonian Institution.
[Pictured above: Madhvi Dalal, 31, a dancer of Indian origin who currently lives in Cardiff, who is featured in research and articles by Dr. Aparna Sharma]
Aparna, who recently completed her PhD, is a documentary filmmaker and journalist with a particular interest in the visual representation of minority cultures and national and cultural identities.
Centre 'Round Table'
The Centre for the Study of Media and Culture in Small Nations held its first Round Table working lunch event in June. Expert practitioners with an interest in the Centre’s concerns were brought together to share their thoughts and inform future work.
[Pictured above: Patricia Aithie "Valleys, Wales" oil on canvas 2007 40 x 50cm sold}
The guests were photographer and painter Patricia Aithie; Artist and commentator Iwan Bala; Broadcaster and former BBC Wales arts correspondent Jon Gower; and Electoral Commissioner, Ofcom board member and former BBC Wales & ITN political editor Glyn Mathias.
A wide ranging discussion covered links with other minority cultures, particularly Galicia, cultural diversity, tribalism, faith, the decline of ideologies, democratic engagement and more.
Another event with new guests is planned for the Atrium in early 2008.
Other items of interest . . .
Channel 4: The First Twenty-Five Years
BFI / Channel 4 Conference, 17 –18th November 2007
Professor Steve Blandford, Associate Dean, Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries, will present a paper on C4 and National Voices - S4C and Cinema at the British Film Institute's conference on the first 25 years of Channel Four.
Communication in the Age of Suspicion: Trust and the Media
This volume, edited by Dr Vian Bakir and Dr David Barlow, includes 14 international contributions which examine a number of media genres and media forms.
To make your reservation for the conference you must quickly contact Ms. Jackie Aplin, at the Centre for the Study of Media and Culture in Small Nations:
Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries / ATRiuM The University of Glamorgan Adam Street Cardiff CF24 2XF Email: jsaplin[at]glam[dot]ac[dot]uk Web: http://culture.research.glam.ac.uk/
The 29th Celtic Media Festival, which takes place in Galway from 16th-18th April 2008, is calling for entries for its 18 award categories across film and television.
The festival is an annual celebration of film and broadcasting talent from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany, with the primary aim of promoting the languages and cultures of the Celtic countries on screen and in broadcasting.
The festival has 18 categories including Animation, Arts Documentary, Drama Series, Feature Length Drama, Short Drama and Education, with ‘Best of Category’ being chosen from each.
In addition, the festival will present the Frank Copplestone First Time Director Award to the best first TV programme or film, and a Spirit of the Festival award to a film or programme wholly or substantially in the Celtic language.
Applicants can apply online at www.celticmediafestival.co.uk or by post, by downloading an application form at:
The Closing date for entries is Friday 2nd November 2007.
Galway city is unique among Irish cities because of the strength of its Irish language, music, song and traditions - it is often referred to as the 'Bilingual Capital of Ireland'.
The city is well known for its ‘Irishness', and mainly due to the fact that it has on its doorstep the Galway Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area).
The language is visible on the city streets, with bilingual signage on display on shops and road signs, and can be heard by locals around the city.
Irish theatre, TV production and Irish music are an integral part of Galway city life, with both An Taibhdhearc, the National Irish Language Theatre, and TG4 and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta headquarters in Galway.
This has brought an Irish-speaking young professional population to the city and county, and has generated a renewal of interest in the language and in language-related activities.
[BREAKING NEWS: Cardiff the Capital of Wales inundated with world-reknowned filmmakers for Iris Prize awards this weekend! Hint: If you go out, take along your autograph book and digital camera, and send us your fotos of visiting celebrities!!! Read about it here:
Speaking of using your short film to become famous . . .
Silence Is Golden trailer on the BBC Film Network Showcase
[About the video: A trailer for Chris Shepherd's latest film, a period drama called SILENCE IS GOLDEN. It mixes live action with animation and follows on from his other shorts, DAD'S DEAD and WHO I AM AND WHAT I WANT. The whole 15 film is on BBC FILM NETWORK site and is going to be released on DVD later in the year.]
If you would like the chance to showcase your short film on the BBC Film Network, then this is what you need to do:
We cannot guarantee to publish every film, but we do guarantee that your film will be watched. We expect a certain level of production standards to ensure that your film is seen in the best possible environment. See our submission criteria for more information.
what you get from us If your submission is successful you'll get:
your film showcased on bbc.co.uk a dedicated film page, with links to you and your cast and crew's profile pages, allowing people who see your film to find out more about you and your work feedback on your film from other Film Network members your film seen by our Industry Panel.
what we need from you To submit your film, you need to be registered with Film Network. It'll take less than 5 minutes to create your membership.
Once you're a member, you need to fill in the online submission form. Please read and check you're happy with the submission rules before you do so.
The information that you need to give is:
your contact details your film's details - including length, funding details, production company, distribution information and weblinks a synopsis (of less than 100 words) and log line or short description (20 words) festival screenings and award details crew and cast names a short fact about the making of your film
You'll need to supply us with a hard copy of your film on either VHS or DVD (not DVD-ROM) - we'll give you address details at the end of the submission process.
If we decide to show your film, we'll then need a broadcast quality copy and copies of any stills you have associated with the film, preferably supplied as high-resolution JPEGs on CD-Rom.
Please note: We regret that we cannot return submission tapes and we do not guarantee to publish your film. If we do publish your film though, we will return any Digibetas by registered delivery.
QUEER CYMRU 2007 is a series of performances and films to coincide with this year's Cardiff Mardi Gras.
Based at Chapter, Cardiff, Wales, UK from Straight, gay, bi sexual and trans gendered performers that challenges stereotypes and celebrates and explores diversity.
There is something here for everyone whatever your orientation, and we hope to provide a safe and alternative, stimulating environment outside of the usual 'scene.'
Special Iris Prize preview Itty Bitty Titty Committee 8.30pm Fri 31 Aug USA/2007/87 mins/ctba. Dir: Jamie Babbit (who also made 'But I'm a Cheerleader').
The story of Anna, an insecure, apolitical girl who encounters a radical political art group, falls in love with its leader, Sadie, and transforms from a girl into a woman.
A favourite on the festival circuit the film has secured many awards including South by South West, Berlin, Melbourne and the audience award in Philadelphia. The film has yet to secure UK distribution – this preview screening officially kicks off Queer Cymru 2007 and is sponsored by the Iris Prize.
“An upfront call to action that takes no prisoners and pulls no punches… For anyone in despair over the state of the world or the movies, this posse of revolting dykes deliver a mega dose of hope.” – Sight and Sound.
A Year Without Love (Un Año sin Amor) 6.30pm Tue 4 Sept Argentina/2005/95 mins/subtitled/18. Dir: Anahí Berners.
A young HIV positive poet decides to document his attempts to cure both his failing love life and health. Eventually he becomes part of an intimate leather circle and begins to fully explore his fascination with S&M practices.
Fariba escapes from Iran to Germany, fleeing persecution because of her sexuality. When her neighbour in the internment centre commits suicide, she assumes his identity to evade repatriation and passes herself off as a man.
Beyond Hatred (Au-delá de la haine) 6.30pm Thu 6 Sept France/2006/86 mins/subtitled/ctba.* Dir: Olivier Meyrou.
François Chenu was killed by three young men in a pointless attack motivated by hate.
This considered and respectful film documents some of the aftermath of his death – the steps that French society takes to achieve justice via the courts and the incredible efforts his family make to feel a personal sense of justice and peace.
QUEER CYMRU PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS:
Fri 31 Aug • 8pm Gareth Llyr Sbïwch Arnai Rwan / Before I Fade Drwy gyfnuo testun gwreiddiol a gwaith corfforol byrfyfyr, mae gwaith solo cyntaf Gareth Llyr yn darlunio pump llun ohono tra’n blentyn. Gyda cyferiadau at Sontag, Kushner, a Walter Benjamin, mae Sbïwch Arnai Rwan / Before I Fade yn archwilio’r berthynas rhwng natur diflanedig perfformiad byw a delwedd barhaus y llun ffotograffig, a’r gwirioneddau a ddaw i’r amlwg trwy edrych yn ôl.
“I am standing in my underwear. I am surrounded by a hundred and fifty blue Ty Nant water bottles and a few red ones. You are looking at me and I am looking at you. I am going to tell you about five photographs, and I hardly remember any of them.”
This intimate and revealing autobiographical work explores recollections of memory in Welsh and English through a series of portraits in movement drawn from childhood photos, in which the truths only emerge with hindsight. A knowledge of Welsh is not essential for the understanding and appreciation of this performance. £6/£4
Sat 1 + Sun 2 Sept • 8pm uhhuh dance Albedo uhhuh dance follow last year’s audacious, controversial and critically acclaimed 'The Son the Lover & the Holy Spin' with a new performance that holds up a mirror to the work of Frida Kahlo and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Devised and performed by Jon Luxton, Kylie Ann Smith and Esme Addams with additional direction from Sarah Hall and Andy Marshall. £8/£5
Tue 4 + Wed 5 Sept • 8pm Burst Ode to Morten Harket Join your larger than life, glammed-up hostess and macho, rock star host (both played by Emily Underwood) for a generous cocktail and perhaps a vol-auvont or two. Take a riotous journey through one woman’s 20-year obsession with Morten Harket, the lead singer of ‘80s pop-band a-ha. Comedy, dressing-up, bad tap dancing and conversations with the audience combine in this exploration of gender identity and the first stirrings of sexuality. Expect a return to bright colours, quick costume changes and a DIY aesthetic. Previous Burst shows at Chapter include 2270 Seconds, BPM and Do I Come Here Often. Written and performed by Emily Underwood. Directed by Jodie Allinson. £6/£4
Thu 6 + Fri 7 Sept • 8pm Ivan Coyote Chapter presents two nights of live stories from the wonderful Vancouver-based writer and performer Ivan Coyote. Ivan was born and raised in Whitehorse Yukon and is the son of a welder and the daughter of a government worker. Over the last ten years she has become an audience favourite at music, poetry, spoken word and writer’s festivals across North America and Canada. “Canada. Good old fashioned kitchen table stories. Imagine you are drinking black tea with canned milk, and it is snowing outside. The kitchen smells like homemade soup, and you don’t have to work tomorrow so you can sit up all night talking and smoking cigarettes.” £5/£4
“What makes Coyote’s stories special - her humour, her humanity, her talent for sketching the bizarre in the everyday - soars beyond cliche.” - The Toronto Star
Fri 7 + Sat 8 Sept • 6pm Cyw gan Roger Williams Bachgen, mamgu, a llond basged o wyau. Drama fer (10 muned) am yr ymosodiadau diweddar yn erbyn y gymuned hoyw ym Moscow. Perfformir gan Ryan Chappell. A new short Welsh language monologue inspired by the recent homophobic protests in Moscow. Mynediad am ddim/Free
Sat 8 Sept • 7.30pm Lucy Porter The Good Life Are you in your late twenties or older, and slightly worried that you’re not really a ‘good’ person? Worried that the legacy you’re leaving for future generations amounts to little more than a mountain of debt, a mountain of non-biodegradable rubbish, and a mountain of thoughts and opinions that add nothing to the advancement of the species? Award-winning comedienne Lucy Porter is worried about all these things and plenty more besides. Can a drinking, gambling, allround hedonist ever consider herself to be morally good? A Go Faster Stripe comedy production which will be recorded for release on DVD. £10
Sat 15 Sept • 8pm Peppermintpatti Fake Tan + Emily Breeze + Vile Vile Creatures + Heck Peppermintpatti returns after the summer break with some honest to goodness riot grrl action. Local outfit Heck kick off the night, followed by Manchester’s Vile Vile Creatures, much admired Bristol ‘badland’ rocker Emily Breeze and dance floor fillers Fake Tan. £5/£4 in advance £6/£5 on the door
“Feel the grind, the husk and the rush of one of Bristol’s most unique and impassioned performers.” Venn (on Emily Breeze)
Tue 18 Sept • 8pm Curious (be)longing Camouflaged in cowboy shirts with fancy stitches made to hide broken hearts and deflecting vulnerability with sequins and high heels, this is the award-winning, London-based Curious at their most personal and poignant. Beneath the neon glow of a highway road sign, their yearnings take them across vast desert landscapes in search of fulfilment and fitting in. Curious (Leslie Hill and Helen Paris) specialise in performance, film and video and are known for their edgy, humorous commentary on contemporary culture and politics, work which has been called ‘as smart as it is seductive’. £10/£8/£6
“the quiet power of Leslie Hill and Helen Paris’ performance lies in its low-key directness, its quirky juxtapositions and its understanding of the geography of loneliness and the myth of return.” — The Guardian
