Solomon and Gaenor

Being Welsh, and being able to speak the language, I was particularly drawn to this film. This film is also part of the A level syllabus which is taught on Welsh courses, and even for Welsh learners. I see that many people have commented on the content of the film, and the effects of the love story in general. I would like to comment on the 'language' ethic of the film. As the film is trilingual, we notice it immediately raises a cultural conflict. However, most people have found that the film was shot in Welsh and English for the purposes of 'Welsh' audiences. I watched the Welsh version the other day, and it just doesn't make sense. To me, each culture is represented by the language that's spoken, be it Welsh, English and Yiddish. I see English as particularly symbolic as it provides a bridge between the Welsh/ Yiddish culture, which is embodied by Solomon and Gaenor. Why then, is it necessary to have a Welsh version where Solomon can coincidentally speak Welsh with a wonderful accent?? I was very confused by this. I think the English version should remain as it is, as this is the true purpose of the film- to present a story of forbidden love within the diversity of culture. English is a very important part of the film, and to record a Welsh version of it just seems pointless to the meaning of the story. I have every intention of thinking of this as a Welsh film, but that small difference has made a difference to its whole intention. Apart from this, the English version provided us with excellent acting, a wonderful score and a meaningful portrayal of love an Wales.

This is a film with some important messages that are obscured by a melodramatic romance. The film is almost saved, but not quite, by fine photography and lighting, an unsentimental view of Wales, and strong central characters. Nia Roberts is charming. She projects a sense of fun, has a lovely accent, and does a great mad/Ophelia look during her denouement. Ioan Gruffudd is utterly delectable.

"S&G" is the story of a pair of young adults, a Jewish man and a Welsh woman, who come together in 1911 Wales when times were tough, families ties were necessarily strong, and intense antisemetic feelings existed among the Welsh population. At issue is whether the star-crossed lovers are the victims of youthful infatuation and libido or so deeply in love they can persevere against all odds. "S&G", a well crafted film shot in Wales, spoken in three languages, with fine performances by the leads, is not likely to be a popular film owing to the many negative, foreign, or esoteric issues involved. However, its integrity cannot be denied.

I have never really understood why so many stories of "star crossed" lovers are always compared to Romeo and Juliet, which, fair enough, was about families at odd with each other, but, in my opinion, Solomon and Gaenor is so much more. A really sad story about bigoted people who are just perpetuating a centuries old hatred of people who are different to themselves. The supposedly Christian people who should practise what they preach and the Jewish people who will not integrate for fear of losing something of themselves in the process is the real dilemma of this story. Solomon and Gaenor are the ultimate losers in this harsh Welsh world of miner's strikes and religious bigotry in the early years of the 20th century when everything was seen as back and white and there was no place for shades of grey inbetween. More people should have the opportunity to see this film which, as far as I know, was never shown in cinemas in Australia and only consigned to a late night viewing time on a little watched TV station, as there is a lesson to be learned from this really well acted film .

It is an useful film for remind what is the true nature of romance. It represents a good opportunity to discover, again, the potential of Ioan Gruffudd art. And to see a version of Romeo and Juliet proposing the emotion of the original as basic thrill defining us. A beautiful film, reflecting high care for each detail and a real touching way to define a lost world.