Pobl Bachyn

Pobl Bachyn is a folkloric story inspired by traditional Welsh cautionary tales, and a desire to satirise the Anglocentric representation of Wales, its customs and language.

North Wales is rarely represented authentically in English speaking media. Taking the traditional Mabinogion story (with a sprinkling of Struwwelpeter), I wanted to create an original piece of folklore that highlights modern indifference shown by visitors attitudes to Welsh history.

We filmed in an 800 year old Welsh farmhouse with an almost entirely Welsh cast. It would have been easy to indulge in the breathtaking natural surroundings to add production value. However, a sense of silent isolation also resides in these mountains, and that is the story I wanted Pobl Bachyn to nod to. I wanted low lights and deep colours to tell a story of a place that is cosy and familiar but with things hiding in the darkness.

As a horror enthusiast what a joy to create your own monster! Inspired by nature's resting face, the Pobl Bachyn were designed to seem otherworldly but familiar. They are futuristic but nostalgic. They have butterfly inspired heads and hook hands, both familiar shapes to anyone growing up in rural North Wales. Local dancers were hired to play the Pobl Bachyn to deliver a smooth, gliding movement.

In the writing, I wanted a naturalistic yet bouncy script. Tarot are a sketch group with their eye firmly on the funny, and it was important the script lead with it's clown shoe first. However, we decided that from the moment the Pobl Bachyn enter the house, we were no longer making a naturalistic comedy, the audience should now be watching a horror film. Comedy and horror thrive on building and releasing tension. The final line is an homage to an unsung, underfunded area that faces an uncertain future besides being a large holiday park for England.