This film must rank as one of the best to come out of Wales, either in English or in welsh....and if you want to know something about Wales please watch this rather than John Ford's How Green Was My Valley (which by the way is surely due an authentic Welsh remake).
Sadly Yr Ymadawiad has had minimal cinematic exposure in its own country, (I saw it at a one off sub-titled screening in my local Odeon, in Swansea, at 11pm on a Saturday night), and the reason for this must inevitably be the pervading attitude in large parts of Wales towards its mother tongue.
Of the handful of welsh language (or Cymraeg) cinematic films in existence this one definitely ranks as one of the finest. It demonstrates a maturity, a depth, and a raw dramatic impact which keeps the viewer glued throughout. Having said that is it a slow paced piece, with only three main characters to keep the story alive, yet the constant twists, the slow reveals, and the mounting tension, makes for a tumultuous climax.
With shades of M.Night Shyalaman, there is something unforgettable here. An incredibly sad film, which in some ways contains elements of many other great ghost films. The characters are completely tied up in their own conflicts, pain, and obsessions. But these somehow come together,leading seamlessly to a tragic denouement.
The ultimate scene is well worth waiting for, and though it works as a stand alone cinematic twist it is especially poignant if you are 'up on' welsh social history of post-war Wales. I didn't see it coming, but it has stayed with me. A haunting, sad experience...which actually achieves something rarely seen in welsh popular art: something deep about the native culture is conveyed from the point of view of the native culture itself.
Overall, this is an accessible, original work, and certainly worth a watch for anyone be they welsh speaking or not.
