12 April 2013

Rhys Ifans, who played Jeremy Lewis in the famous Swansea-based film, Twin Town and the film's director, Kevin Allen are working together again to create a documentary film on Dylan Thomas for S4C.

The film, which is due to be broadcast in 2014 to coincide with the centenary of the poet's birth, will examine the influence of the Welsh language on Thomas's work. As presenter, Ifans will also be speculating on whether or not Thomas himself was a Welsh speaker, and does this alter the way we look at and appreciate his work.

Rhys Ifans fell in love with Thomas's work when he studied his poems as a pupil at Ysgol Maes Garmon, Mold.

The actor who's achieved world-wide fame through such films as Notting Hill and The Boat That Rocked will be speaking about his new project in an exclusive interview on S4C's arts programme Pethe, Monday 15 April at 9.30pm.

"I'm a big fan of Dylan Thomas", says the actor from Ruthin in an interview with Pethe presenter, Lisa Gwilym. "His words are still alive, they're not gathering dust in a museum."

"His work really lifts you as a performer. There's lyricism in his work."

Working on the film, Rhys and Kevin were recently filming at Laugharne and the Pethe crew were on location to speak to them. The full interview can be seen on Monday night's Pethe.

Llion Iwan, Commissioner of Factual programmes for S4C has said that he's very glad Rhys and Kevin came to S4C with the idea, and is certain that the pair will produce something quite special for the viewers.

"When Rhys Ifans and Kevin Allen approached us with this idea for a documentary examining the influence of Welsh on Thomas's work it struck me as a very original and interesting idea. They've worked together on Twin Town in the past and this is a project they're really keen to tackle."

"It was a unique chance to get Rhys on screen discussing one of Wales' global icons. And Kevin's background, along with his abilities as a director means that there is a very special and talented partnership at work here. I can't wait to see the film."