Scripted

Welsh production company Triongl has completed filming on Pijin, a Welsh-language feature film directed by Euros Lyn and produced for S4C under the Sinema Cymru scheme. Adapted by Angharad Elen from Alys Conran’s award-winning novel Pigeon, the film is produced by Nora Ostler Spiteri. Executive producers are John Giwa-Amu, Gethin Scourfield, Alec Spiteri and Elen.
Set in Bethesda, in the slate-quarrying landscape of north Wales, Pijin follows two friends, Pijin and Iola, who meet during the summer of 1992. Pijin, a 12-year-old boy with a vivid imagination, longs to escape his home life. As the pair’s stories draw them into an imagined world, the boundaries between fantasy and reality begin to blur, leading their adventure in a darker direction. The cast includes Rhodri Meilir, Rhian Blythe, Sam Bottomley, Barry Sloane and Priya Rose Brookwell.

Pijin is the second production developed through Sinema Cymru, following Lluest, described as the first Welsh-language Western. The scheme is a partnership between S4C, the Welsh Government through Creative Wales, and Ffilm Cymru Wales, supporting Welsh-language feature films with the potential to reach international cinema audiences. The film was commissioned by former S4C Drama and Film Commissioner Gwenllian Gravelle and has also received funding from the S4C Commercial Content Fund. The production follows Effi of Blaenau, a collaboration between S4C and Creative Wales.

“Making a film starts with the people behind it, and Triongl has assembled a formidable team for its first feature. S4C is proud to support their work, and we look forward to sharing the finished film with audiences,” said Catrin Cooper, S4C’s film commissioner.
“It has been a privilege to work with talents such as Alys Conran and Angharad Elen, alongside an exceptional crew and a cast of enthusiastic young actors making their screen debuts. The epic landscape of the Ogwen Valley provides a stunning cinematic canvas for the film and is an integral part of its story,” said Lyn.
Heledd Fychan, Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport, added: “This is such an exciting time for Welsh film and Pijin is another brilliant example of the creative talent we have here in Wales. This Welsh language film brings together an exceptional cast and crew to adapt Alys Conran's acclaimed novel for the big screen, and it’s great that it is happening as a result of Sinema Cymru - a partnership between Creative Wales, S4C and Ffilm Cymru Wales - designed specifically to support and fast track Welsh language film and help it reach the widest possible audience. Supporting ambitious, Welsh-language storytelling like this not only showcases our incredible industry talent to audiences at home but also has the potential to put Welsh film firmly on the international stage. I look forward to seeing the finished film.”