21/06/26

Cameo Cinema, Edinburgh

Back in April 2020, we saw a production on Digital Theatre, a monologue written by Gary Owen and starring Sophie Melville. The piece rejoiced under the unusual title Iphigenia in Splott, and was loosely based around the Greek myth of Iphigenia, the daughter of Agamemnon, sacrificed to ensure the success of the men who governed her. Set in Splott in South Wales, it was a unflinching reinterpretation of the original tale and one that we both enjoyed.

So when the release of Effi o Blenau is announced, we quickly make the connection. Owen has teamed up with Branwen Kennard to adapt the piece for the big screen and the setting has shifted North to Blaenau Ffestiniog. The central role of Effi is played by Leisa Gwenllian and, while it still follows the same central premise, the story (now in Welsh language) has been opened up to include other characters, some of whom were mentioned in the original piece.

Effi is a young woman living a debauched existence in a town stricken by unemployment. She regularly seeks solace at the bottom of a vodka bottle, partying with her best friend, Gemma (Nel Rhys Lewis), and with her ‘sort-of’ boyfriend, Kev (Owen Alun), who can always be relied upon to get his mitts on some drugs. But on a night out in Llandudno, Effi encounters Lee (Tom Rhys Harries), an ex-soldier and she falls in love at first sight. She accompanies him back to his friend’s flat, where she discovers that Lee has lost a limb on active service. A night of passion ensues and she tells herself that this is the real thing.

She settles down to wait for him to get in touch with her…

This is a perfect example of how a simple theatrical piece can be turned into a winning slice of cinema. Though it’s a bleak and hard-hitting story, an excoriating condemnation of contemporary politics, this is thrilling stuff. Gwenllian’s performance in the lead role is fabulous, as her character begins the long and punishing slide into desperation. I also love Alun’s depiction of Kev, a man constantly trying to do the right thing by the woman he loves, even though she simply doesn’t love him back. The drab, run down locations are evocatively captured by cinematographer Eira Wyn Jones, and there’s a long, harrowing sequence in an ambulance hurtling through a snow storm in the dead of night that really cranks up the suspense. There’s also a touch of redemption, when Effi is given support by a very forgiving neighbour.

Clearly, a Welsh language polemic isn’t going to compete with the likes of Toy Story 5 or The World Cup for the public’s attention, but for those who like gritty, hard-hitting drama, this is well worth consideration.

4.4 stars

Philip Caveney