MILODFA
Stills Photography
Stills Photography
Stills Photography
Stills Photography
The death of Dadi leaves the fate of the farm to one of three dysfunctional siblings. Set in the Welsh Valleys, this dark comedy explores familial tensions as war erupts within.
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Mae marwolaeth Dadi yn gadael tynged y fferm i un o dri phlentyn camweithredol. Wedi’i gosod yng Nghymoedd Cymru, mae’r drama gomedi dywyll hon yn archwilio tensiynau teuluol wrth i ryfel ffrwydro oddi mewn.
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS/SCREENINGS 2025:
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BFI Future Film Festival (Chapter Cinema/Vue Cinema Swansea)
Available to watch on:
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WRITER STATEMENT
I have never been a writer with the audacity to prescribe to an audience what they should feel when leaving a film. The idea of having something to say also daunts me. That’s not usually something I uncover until much further down the road. But I suppose Milodfa derived from experiencing dramatic changes in life. Change is a rabbit hole which you have to brave in order to determine whether it’s for the better or worse when you come out the other side. Placing this theme against an insular world of a family living behind everyone else, and the communal forces that move between them, gives us a taste of the Welsh cultural experience – the idea that there is always something bigger than them going on in the world, but never worry themselves with it, and choose to stay in a bubble. The story grew from a character, Berwyn, who decides to break that bubble.
In theatre, the writer is somehow given a seat at the top of the pyramid. Decision-making pivots on the decisions of the playwright. In film, the mantle passes to a director, and as a first-time screenwriter, it was less frightening than I anticipated – it was tremendously exciting. I have been very blessed to work with Amelia, who shared the same mischievous, dark-minded vision as I did, and yet still evoked that spirit of a ghost-ridden community feeding on ownership, responsibility and legacy. That, and a team of like-minded artists who created this world in every corner of the screen. This film is ours.
Milodfa is a film about change, and it examines it by loosening the pressure valve a little, allowing the audience to see the comic side of tragedy.​
DIRECTOR STATEMENT
Milodfa:
a collection of wild or unusual animals, especially for exhibition.
a place where they are kept or exhibited.
an unusual and varied group of people.
Growing up in rural Wales surrounded by farmland and eccentric characters, I’ve always been fascinated by how environments can shape the community. I wanted every detail specifically rooted in Welsh culture, as well as capturing the sense of isolation, the weight of tradition and unresolved trauma. Milodfa is a reflection of the darker, more absurd side of familial relationships, the longing for change, the struggle for identity and to escape what you know… as well as who you know. It was important to amplify the dangers of small-town mentality, societal expectations and ultimately, festering resentment. Some influences ranged from Under Milk Wood, Pren ar y Bryn, The Banshees of Inisherin, Succession and Hitchcock's Psycho/The Birds.
After previously working with Chris as an actor, it was wonderful to be given the opportunity to direct his first screenplay. Our vision and tone for an off-beat, slightly unhinged taxidermy-filled world of Milodfa aligned. We were able to work in depth with our actors to create three distinct siblings who are worlds away from each other but bound together by blood.
The backdrop of the Welsh countryside, with its quiet, beautiful and sometimes eerie presence, feels like it shapes everything around it—the people, the land, and the stories that come from them. Shot in the Rhondda Valleys, we were able to give back to the community and create a real buzz of excitement, which was brilliant to see, with many local cast/crew and trainees.
Whilst Milodfa is firmly grounded in Welsh culture and language, I felt it important to have a global reach. The language adds authenticity to the narrative, but the core themes—family, change, power, and the conflict between the past and the future—are universal. I hope that the film resonates not just with Welsh audiences but with viewers internationally, introducing them to the rich cultural heritage of Wales while also connecting with their own experiences.