In this day and age filmmakers are no longer solely reliant upon the whims of studios or attracting rich benefactors. With new technology making it cheaper than ever to make a film, the way they are funded has changed profoundly over the decades. Managed by Ffilm Cymru Wales, Cinematic is a film fund which produces and supports emerging Welsh Filmmakers. The first film to benefit was the highly underrated Just Jim. The second is The Library Suicides.
When their mother Elena Wdig (Sharon Morgan), a famous writer dies, Ana (Catrin Stewart) and Nan are lost without her. After plunging from the roof of the National Library of Wales, Elena’s last words implicated her biographer, Eben (Ryland Teifi). The twins, who work at the library, plot to avenge her death. Their plan seems to be going well until the bumbling well-intentioned security guard (Dyfan Dwyfor) becomes embroiled.
The Library Suicides is testament to what can be achieve with a low budget and a lot of creativity. Offbeat and intriguing, it plays out as both a drama and a very black comedy. Catrin Stewart is superb in the dial roles and the supporting casts add a certain Welsh magic to proceedings. The ending adds an extra dimension, and is possibly the only misstep, but director Euros Lyn has produced a highly entertaining and accomplished debut feature.
The Library Suicides is released on DVD by Soda Pictures on 31 October.
