The Ballad of Wallis Island

James Griffiths, 2025, UK, Colour, English, 93′ mins, Certificate: 12

An eccentric super fan, living alone in a remote island off the coast of Wales, is bringing his favourite folk duo back together for an extraordinary, against all odds private performance.

I cry, you cry, we all cry. Unexpected tears, of joy and of laughter – a lot of laughter, unforced, unapologetic, guttural laughter. And the not unexpected ones. Proper, cleansing tears, of deep and true emotion. Often at the same time.

All because of the originality, spirited humanity and healing magic of this big little comedy about grief. And about all the weird and wonderful ways grief can transform into power to move on. Stop surviving and start living again.

Tom Basden and Tim Key wrote and star, (along with the always brilliant Carey Mulligan), in this British sleeper indie hit that transfixed audiences last year and is well on its way to achieving cult status.

Based on the same team’s, Edinburgh Film Festival winner short, The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island (2007), this is a triumph of screenplay writing and proof that cinema is so much more than simply a (audio)visual art.

And if this one of a kind Ballad wasn’t enough, we will be treating you to a special Magic Lantern presentation by local glass artist Pippa Stacy!

Reviews:

“For a film about grief, regrets, lost love and a deep, cavernous loneliness, The Ballad of Wallis Island delivers a whole lot of laughs. This droll British picture… is so sharply observed and infectiously funny that you don’t at first notice that it plays out in a mournful minor key. … a bittersweet, cardigan-clad small treasure of a film and a balm for battered souls. ” Wendy Ide, The Observer

“What you also don’t anticipate is how poignant it all gets — a melancholy farce with an oddly pure soul.” Danny Leigh, Financial Times