roundup
WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.
EVENT
THE
BATTLE FOR
GLASTONBARRY
?
SOUTH WALES SECRETS #44:
Ten Feet Tall
As welsh indie film Benny And Jolene is finally
projected for the public, we speak to one
of its stars Craig Roberts and find out his
South Wales Secret.
“He took us on this trip for five days, we didn’t
really know what we were doing and then he came
out with a movie!”
The actor Craig Roberts is known for his roles in
quirky films. Although he first hit our screens in the
children’s TV show The Story of Tracy Beaker he
made his name as the lead in Richard Ayoade’s
coming-of-age comedy Submarine.
Now he’s one of the many stars of Benny And Jolene,
the new film from Porthcawl director Jamie Adam’s,
and eccentricity remains at the forefront of the movie:
“Its idiosyncratic,” explains Roberts, “it’s very
peculiar, it’s strange and I think people like movies
with an acoustic soundtrack!”
The music loving film follows folk duo Benny
(Roberts) and Jolene (played by Charlotte Ritchie,
best known for her role in student sitcom Fresh Meat)
as they start to make it big, get on a tour bus and
head to their first festival gig. Along the way they deal
with many trials and tribulations in the form of TV
appearances, writers block and sexy dancing.
Shooting the entire film in just five days Benny And
Jolene was originally only supposed to be a short
film, but it soon blossomed into a full length feature:
“I didn’t know there would be an actual movie
out of it!” states Roberts, “I was just surprised
because five days is not a long time to do
anything, and we were working normal hours... It’s
crazy we got a movie out of it, and it works, the
story works. Jamie’s done a good job.”
For his South Wales Secret the Maesycwmmer
born Craig chooses a Cardiff favourite: Ten Feet
Tall. A good place for a quite drink upstairs, a
bustling bar on the ground floor, and live music
venue Undertone in the basement it has a whole
range of cocktails as well as plenty of music.
Benny And Jolene, released Fri 6 June. Info:
www.facebook.com/BennyandJoleneFilm
Glastonbury may have big
names like Skrillex and Dolly
Parton, but it doesn’t compare
to the charm, excitement
and inventive punning of
GlastonBARRY.
This
year
the Barry festival includes
performances from acoustic
band Back To November,
indie rockers The Strip Lights,
Ultimate Madness, the UK’s
best Madness tribute, and Bob
Marley tribute act Legend.
The festival officially kicks off
next month but if you fancy
your chances, and like the idea
of being the opening act at this
spectacularly named festival,
then now’s the time. It doesn’t
matter if you’re a hard rocker,
a soulful blues singer or an
emotional acoustic lovely as
the competition is open to all.
Send in a demo, mp3 or video
link to the judges at Mack Events
and you might just get invited to
compete in the Battle Of The
Bands night on Fri 13 June.
The winner of that night will
open GlastonBARRY and their
performance will be broadcast
on Bro Radio the following day.
GlastonBARRY Battle Of The
Bands, Barry Island Sports
And Social Club, Fri 13 June.
Tickets: £tbc. Info: www.
mackeventspresents.com
MINI MOVIES FOR THE BIG SCREEN
The Cardiff Mini Film Festival, a dedicated festival and competition for shorts and films on a mini budget, kicks off this month with a launch
party at Porter’s on Sat 7 June and screenings across the city on Sun 8. The festival continues into next month: