Coming Up Roses (1986 film)
| Coming Up Roses | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Stephen Bayly |
| Written by | Ruth Carter |
| Produced by | Linda James |
| Starring | Dafydd Hywel |
| Cinematography | Dick Pope |
| Edited by | Scott Thomas |
Release date |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | Welsh |
Coming Up Roses (Welsh: Rhosyn a Rhith) is a 1986 Welsh language comedy film.[1] It was produced by Red Rooster Films for the Welsh language channel, S4C.[2] Directed by Stephen Bayly, it starred Dafydd Hywel, Gillian Elisa and Mari Emlyn. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival.[3]
The film is set in the aftermath of the 1984-85 miners' strikes.[2][4] It centres on the closure of the last small town cinema in South Wales and the efforts of the janitor, and former projectionist, Trevor, and the usher, Mona, to raise funds by growing mushrooms in the dark, to pay off the cinema's debts.[1][5] The New York Times' film critic, Vincent Canby, noted that the film's setting, the "economically depressed town of Aberdare in south Wales" illustrates the Margaret Thatcher government's impact not only on coal mining but local communities, more generally, due to the knock-on effects of unemployment.[5][4]
The film was noteworthy in that it was the first Welsh language film to receive a UK theatrical release in 1987. As well, it was one of two Welsh language films being screened in the London's West End cinemas with English subtitles.[6] The other Welsh language film on West End screens was Milwr Bychan or Boy Soldier.
In August 2024, the National Eisteddfod, an annual celebration of Welsh culture, was held in Pontypridd close to Aberdare.[7] The programme featured a pop-up cinema, Sinemaes[8], which screened Coming Up Roses, followed by a panel discussion.[2]
Cast
- Dafydd Hywel as Trevor
- Iola Gregory as Mona
- Gillian Elisa as Sian
- Mari Emlyn as June
- Ifan Huw Dafydd as Dave
- Rowan Griffiths as Pete
- Olive Michael as Gwen
- Bill Paterson as Mr. Valentine
- W. J. Phillips as Eli Davies
- Clyde Pollitt as Councillor
- Mike Lewis as Trevor's Son
References
- ^ a b Woods, Greg (6 February 2004). "Coming Up Roses (1986)". The Eclectic Screening Room. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ a b c Wiliam, Hywel (8 October 2024). "Eisteddfod revives 'flawless' Ealing-style comedy Rhosyn a Rhith | Royal Television Society". rts.org.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ "Festival de Cannes: Coming Up Roses". festival-cannes.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
- ^ a b "BBC - Wales - Arts - Film - Comedy in Welsh film". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ a b Canby, Vincent (11 September 1987). "Film: 'Coming Up Roses'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "BBC - Wales - Arts - Film - Welsh film history: 1980-89". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "National Eisteddfod 2024: What to know as festival heads to Pontypridd". www.bbc.com. 6 August 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ "Sinemaes". National Eisteddfod of Wales.