Historic

Another film with a historical theme, this project was part of BCBC’s New Opportunities Fund. Together with local filmaker Neil Williams we decided to make a film about the history of the Llynfi Valley. The obvious thing to do would have been to make a film about the mining history of the valley but we felt this had been done to death and so decided to delve deeper into the history books. What we found was an incredible mix of great stories and characters, and the final film contained very little about mining itself.

With all of this fascinating history at our disposal we decided to make a comedy drama, with myself playing the part of a time travelling history supply teacher who takes the kids back in time to see the history for themselves. Starting with the Roman period, the pupils witnessed history in the making.

Amongst other things they saw a comic 'romanisation'of a local Briton, King Arthur trying to rally his men before his final battle while being harassed by his wife making sure he had his packed lunch, and the sorry tale of an entrepreneur who tried to wash away the surface of a field to reveal the coal underneath- needless to say his plan did not work. This was one of my favourite projects as it was great fun to make and the kids were brilliant.