Much has been said of the demise of the Welsh Film Board, that important organization that is perhaps mostly remembered for its failures. After the trials and tribulations of Madam Wen (1982), a film produced far beyond its budget for an S4C in its infancy, the Board produced only one more film before its dissolution: Ty'd Yma Tomi (1984).
Based on Siwan Jones’ winning work for the 1983 National Eisteddfod script competition, Ty'd Yma Tomi did not receive much attention at the time, and certainly there has been little opportunity to see the film since then. Compared to S4C's early films of the same period, Ty'd Yma Tomi is perhaps not that memorable. Indeed, Kate Woodward describes it as a "tired and amateurish" film (2013, 171). But, with the distance of the four decades since its production, it is worth - in my opinion, at least! – revisiting the film.
In the film Elin (Gwen Ellis) is an actress who, after leaving her husband, has moved from the city to her summer house in the countryside. There is not much welcome from the local residents. As she feels increasingly isolated, she meets Father Tomos (John Ogwen), the local, mysterious priest. She also receives a visitor, Cathryn (Iola Gregory), who is a television producer who hopes to work with Elin. As she gets to know the two strangers better, Elin's past begins to interfere with her present.
In addition to the well-known main cast, there are a number of other familiar faces in the film, including Eiry Palfrey, Dyfan Roberts and Wyn Bowen Harris.
Behind the camera, Gareth Wynn Jones directs. In addition to a long and important career as a director and producer, he was also chairman of the Welsh Film Board in 1978 and 1981. He directed Teisennau Mair (1979) and O.G (1981) for the Board as well as Ty'd Yma Tomi.
Writer Siwan Jones went on to a highly successful career, writing television dramas, including some of S4C's best known series such as Con Passionate, Alys, and 35 Diwrnod.
Why didn't the film succeed, then? Well, to state the obvious to begin with, it is not necessarily a ‘good’ film, despite the well-known names associated with it. The characters are confusing, the narrative is unclear, the script is unoriginal, and the ending is unsatisfying… so why celebrate it? Who enjoys it?
Me, for one…! Two other films from the Welsh Film Board have proven many times that a film does not need to be a 'good' one to find an audience, namely the horror films Gwaed ar y Sêr and O’r Ddaear Hen. Siwan Jones herself refers to the film as being "in the tradition of Tales of the Unexpected" (Woodward 2013, p. 168). Certainly, there is an eerie tone to Ty'd Yma Tomi which places it comfortably alongside many horror, sci-fi, and crime films which are appreciated by millions across the world, and not that because they are 'good'.
Personally, I enjoy the weird and obscure feel of the film. I enjoy the fact that the performances are, at times, melodramatic. The element of absurdity to the film is extremely enjoyable - especially the Tomi of the title...who is a cat. Elin calls Tomi a number of times during the film, but other than his presence in her home, there is little explanation as to why Tomi the cat is the titular character. I would refrain from suggesting that the fact that there is a leading cat in the film is reason enough to enjoy it...but it helps.
It's a melodramatic film that looks mostly like realism, with scenes of Elin's bare house and a stark landscape as background to a story that is otherwise full of drama, chills and tension. This contrast contributes to the confusion of the film, but also to its appeal: the contrast gives the film an uneasy feeling, which itself contributes to its charm.
With the distance of time, the old-fashioned feel of the film is appealing: to a certain extent in the fashions and attitudes of the characters, but also in the film itself. This is a mystery film that would be very different if mobile phones or easy access to the web were common. The visible grain of the film reminds us that this is from a pre-digital, almost otherworldly era for an audience used to today's smooth pixels.
It is also worth celebrating because of its significance as the last production of the Welsh Film Board. The intention and purpose of the Film Board was to produce independent films in order to ensure that Welsh people can get involved with a popular medium in their own language. With the arrival of S4C, there was less demand on the Board's efforts, and the functionalities increasingly expensive.
We are very proud to be custodians of the Welsh Film Board's collection, including Ty'd Yma Tomi. At the moment it is only possible to watch this special film by making a request and visiting the National Library. We hope that in the future there will be more demand for the film and more opportunities to see it!
Bibliography
Woodward, Kate (2013): Cleddyf ym Mrwydr yr Iaith? Y Bwrdd Ffilmiau Cymraeg, Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru
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