Front Row - Llangollen bridge wrapped in patchwork for its Eisteddfod, Cannes Film Festival, Zaida Bergroth on film Tove

Llangollen bridge wrapped in patchwork for its Eisteddfod, Cannes Film Festival, Zaida Bergroth on film Tove

Download Llangollen bridge wrapped in patchwork for its Eisteddfod, Cannes Film Festival, Zaida Bergroth on film Tove

Film critic Jason Solomons brings a touch of glamour to tonight’s proceedings with his report from this year’s Cannes Film festival which opened this week.

Tove Jansson was the Finnish creator of the Moomins, stories much loved by children (and adults) the world over. A new film, Tove, tells the story of her extraordinary life in post-war Helsinki, the ambivalence she felt towards the success of the Moomins, and how her ideas about freedom were challenged when she fell in love with theatre director Vivica Bandler. The film's director, Zaida Bergroth, talks about the choices she made in telling the story of this iconic author and artist.

Welsh culture that is ancient, and modern: Catrin Finch, commissioned by the Llangollen Eisteddfod, plays the harp and is working with a choir - but not just male voices, a choir of singing refugees and asylum seekers. A beat boxer is involved, too. Meanwhile the artist Luke Jerram has turned to another Welsh tradition, throwing a huge, beautiful patchwork quilt over the town bridge.

Presenter: John Wilson
Producer: Harry Parker

Published on Friday, 9th July 2021.

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