Forum Activity for @nick-stradling

Does the term 'Celtic' have any meaning in a British context?

General Discussions ( Anything Goes )

It goes like this,Scotland and Wales' identities are based fundamentally on one maxim, 'WE ARE NOT ENGLISH'.

The fact that Wales and Scotland exist in this state is often used as a dig by those English who wish to goad. But, if you can admit or claim that Wales and Scotland are defined by 'WE ARE NOT ENGLISH' then you must admit the reason for that definition. And the reason for that definition is, that English identity and culture is defined by the maxim 'EVERYBODY SHOULD BE LIKE US'. The Celtic countries of Britain made themselves because they HAD to make themselves.

There is nothing wrong with being defined by what you are not, That's why countries exist in the first place: to not be classed as other countries. And in the 21st century, it's a bloody miracle that both countries are still here.

But surely it's gone beyond genetics now? The Island is just a big melting pot of genes from all over the world so I doubt there's much 'Celtic' blood left in Wales. In the same way as there isn'y much 'Saxon' blood still. (Apart from in Essex of course. You should see their faces - they all look like they should be wearing Crusader helmets)

Talking of faces - that's where there must be some argument with your man Sykes. I can spot a Welsh face a mile away. Even the Cornish too are pretty distinctive - big, bony foreheads and big faces!

Scotland's vote

General Discussions ( Anything Goes )

But Reg - Wales has no standing in the world. Highly educated international politicians, business people and artists have never heard of the place. Barack Obama is coming here next year for the NATO summit. I'd say there a very good chance that he arrives at the Celtic Manor resort thinking he's still in England. Not saying that's definitely the case, but it would not surprise me in the slightest. Wales has no standing as a result of centuries of inaccurate, false or lack of representation.

I totally understand why anyone would want to stay in the Union from a self-interest short term point of view and tbh I'm not qualified to speak about economics, so for any Welsh person wishing to remain British I have no problem with their reasons.

One thing's for sure though, Wales will never be able to govern herself if that is the thinking. I guess that those who want a free Wales care more about the identity aspect that social standing or global influence.

Wales could enhance it's "standing" or influence in the world in one fell swoop by establishing and talking about its cultural and historical links around the world - particularly USA.

Scotland's vote

General Discussions ( Anything Goes )

This is a very interesting point Gwen - what happens to the nouns?My personal hope if that Scotland gets her independence and it forces the world to ask the question about the name of the UK.

It's not just in the US - as Reg and I were discussing on the video thread, people all over the world have been allowed to believe that "England" and the "UK" mean the same thing. British people accentuate the problem by doing it themselves. I live in Wales and you wouldn't believe how many English people refer to the UK as "England", without self consciousness - even in the presence of Welsh people wile living in Wales. There's a basic arrogance there which has gone unchecked for centuries, offence is often unintended, but generations have spoken like this. Also, I'd say the majority of British people don't know the difference between "UK" and "Britain".

So, if Scotland breaks free - what happens to the name of the country? What happens to the Union Flag (incidentally Wales in the ONLY of he 4 nations of the UK not represented on the flag)?

My own personal hope is that if the Scots pull it off, Wales will HAVE TO follow eventually. Because there is now way we could have a sovereign state called "England & Wales".

My hopes for Wales revolve purely around the notion of representation - in language, in media, in stories in sport. It's no wonder nobody knows about us because we have allowed ENgland to assimilate our identity. If the UK could at least put something Welsh on the flag, include our name in the Cricket team, and tell its TV presenters to stop calling the UK "England" (as wartime radio presenters were told to do) then personally I'd be happy with that. But - it's never going to happen. You'll never get English people to get the name of the country right, Wales will NEVER go on something as old and loved as the Union Flag and they'll never call a cricket team "England & Wales" (despite the British Lions chaging to the British & Irish Lions in the 1990's)

So, Wales should seek independence for the spiritual good of its people, so that when a BBC presenter goes on TV and talks about "The English Navy", the "English Civil War" or the "English media" - they mean just that.

Anything other than independence for Wales just means complying with this lack of misrepresentation and allowing our culture to be lost.

Wales in the movies - a blog

Promoting Wales in the USA

I mention it at the end of the first blog essay (3,500 words!!) and also put a link up to the plane scene when the pilot tells him to land in Cardiff.I was speechless when my missus called me to say that the finale was set in Wales - I actually thought she was winding me up.

I was thiinking about writing another piece for the blog about it. BBC reviewer Mark Kermode was clearly incredulous that the finale was set in Wales - you can hear it in his voice when he reviews it for radio 5 live. Total Film reviewed the moment like this:

"Pitt jets around the ruined earth to try and discover the original root of the plague touching down in South Korean airbases, Israeli cities and, er, Wales"

Er, Wales. 1500 years of history. The oldest living language in Europe. The fuel that powered the industrial revolution, the Welfare state........all to have an 'er' put in front of your name.

The crowd at Cineworld Cardiff started to cheer when the plane landed!

Wales in the movies - a blog

Promoting Wales in the USA

Yes it was featured Gregory here:

http://wibbleclarkeblog.tumblr.com/post/66899960908/wales-in-hollywood-world-war-z-2013-brad-pitt

Although being pedantic I'd argue that it features "prominently". The world "Wales" is uttered once and the finale of the film is set in a chemical lab not far from Cardiff. Scottish and English actors fill that chem lab and Wales in the only location which does not come with text legend i.e. Airbase, South Korea or Detainee Centre, Israel.

Not that I'm complaining! It's just nice to see a Hollywood scene set in Wales at all.

Wales in the movies - a blog

Promoting Wales in the USA

I see your point.

When of course talking "Hollywood" we are talking a few major studios I suppose. My particular point of interest at the moment is the potential consumers and propagators of Welsh stories in the US.

Personally I have no problem with formulaic movies and paradigms, it's the content that surely defines the appeal for audiences. A Welsh film could of course get made over here in the UK, but for the purposes that I'm thinking, it would need marketing in the right places with maybe just finding one target human being with contacts who was in a position to promote the idea - if it were a good one. I'm also keen on tales cementing Welsh-American links.

Sorry I'm rambling, I've been writing all bloody day and trying to get the Welsh government to answer my emails and an article published about the Braveheart Effect and the lost Stories of Wales!

Pardon me if this post lacks cohesion,

Nick

Wales in the movies - a blog

Promoting Wales in the USA

Hi Harold,

thanks for reply and input. I actually think the lack of originality is why a film about Wales would go down so well, Hollywood is so desperate for new material, now we even see a crazy post post modern thing where there are successful films made about other successful films.

Just trying to gather opinion for now, wish me luck!

Nick

Wales in the movies - a blog

Promoting Wales in the USA

Hi All,

I'm a new member to this and at the very beginning of speaking to academics, historians and writers regarding the promotion and idea of Welshness in the U.S.A. and am tryint to gauge interest in the idea of a Hollywood movie that could showcase Wales to the world once and for all.

I've started a blog to which I've already added a couple of articles and essays with a few movie reviews addes so far also. I will be even adding clips of every Welsh reference I can find in American movies - which are frustratingly rare I must say!

Here is the blog:

http://wibbleclarkeblog.tumblr.com

I'd love it if you could take time to read or follow, and maybe just start to consider the idea of how a Welsh movie could be sold in Hollywood. If enough interest in gleaned I hope to make it a more interactive website and get it translated. I noticed on my first glimpse of the forum just a few minutes ago that Ceri has started a thread about a Glyndwr film and I touch a little on this kind of idea in some of my writing.

In my opinion, Wales BADLY needs a movie not just for itself but for the Welsh diaspora out there in the world like you guys who've never had a chance to see your forebears on screen in popular form and there are SO many tales from our past that could be exploited for these purposes.

Peace, love and Hwyl,

Nick

updated by @nick-stradling: 12/11/15 06:35:45AM

Hollywood and Owain Glyndwr?

Promoting Wales in the USA

Ifans for me pushes too many comedy buttons by pure association.

Michael Sheen? - versatile actor, not very macho but a chameleon and very proud Welshman.

Russ Crowe? - too typecast by Maximus and Robin Hood now surely.

Ioan Gruffudd? - too pretty perhaps?

This guy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwan_Rheon looks gruff enough also

Of course doesn't have to be a taffy - as long as the accent if genuinely good (i.e. not William Hurt/ Colm Meaney!)

Hollywood and Owain Glyndwr?

Promoting Wales in the USA

Hi Ceri mate,

I'll have a go tonight putting reviews on the bookstore and yes, I'd be very proud to be your film official film reviewer!

Just to say again and for all - I think you've done such an amazing job getting this site together. It makes me really proud. I'm not a nationalist sort by nature and in fact, If I were to come from a large imperialist country you'd probably find me among the biggest dissenters. But when you delve into the history of the Welsh (incidentally not taught to our kids in schools) you can see how incredible it is that we're still here at all. And the fact that Cymraeg still exists and is championed in places like this gives me so much hope that all is not lost.

Anyway, back to Glyndwr....

Personally, I want an independent Wales. I think it's the ONLY way to reinvigorate the language in schools and to make us a totally bilingual country. The advantages of which are clear to anybody who has ever tried to learn a foriegn language as an adult. To link the point to the thread I suspect that more than any other political campaigning, more than any Welsh Assembly at home - the biggest and best thing Wales could do to gain support for herself within Wales and from the apathetic Welsh population - is to get a rousing movie made. Not just something 'set in Wales' - but something that touches on Welsh themes and identity in a positive, populist way. I think the only way you get that made is by backing from US studios and US dollars.

Nick