Film star Rhys flies in to snip ribbon on cinema
WELSH actor Rhys Ifans swapped the red carpet for the red curtain when he opened a new cinema in Caernarfon on Friday.
Currently filming in Budapest, the star from Ruthin flew in especially for the celebrations, and spent the morning inspiring local school children.
Ifans discussed the power of film with over 100 pupils from Syr Thomas Jones, Coleg Meirion Dwyfor, Ysgol Tryfan, Ysgol David Hughes and Ysgol Syr Hugh Owens.
The official opening was followed by “An Evening with Rhys Ifans” – held by BAFTA Cymru and presented by Lisa Gwilym.
Ifans is Into Film Cymru’s newest ambassador, joining the likes of recent Emmy winner Matthew Rhys, actor Michael Sheen and director Celyn Jones.
With their support, the charity is able to provide young people across the UK with the opportunity to “establish a meaningful and long-lasting relationship with film, both as an art form and a potential career”.
About his new appointment, Ifans said: “I have admired Into Film Cymru for some time now”.
“The opportunities this charity offers for young people in Wales today and how it supports teachers to utilise film in order to engage and motivate all pupils is amazing”.
He described his new role as an “honour” and promised to do all he can to maximise the power of film in realising the potential of the next gen- eration, in each and every community across Wales”.
Non Stevens, head of Into Film Cymru, said: “We’re delighted that Rhys has agreed to become our newest ambassador, and it seems all the more fitting given that Galeri is today opening its new £4m cinema, which will mean more and more children and young people across Craig Colville north-west Wales will have the opportunity to learn through film”.
Galeri’s new extension is the latest of a long list of regeneration projects being carried out by social enterprise, Galeri Caernarfon Cyf.
The trust have regenerated over twenty properties so far, with a development on Victoria Dock being the largest to date.
This development will see Caernarfon have the only full-time dedicated two screen cinema in the area.
Helen Speddy, a teacher from Bangor whose daughter Ceri-Ellen is on the Into Film Youth Council said: “I’ve seen a great difference in my daughter, Ceri-Ellen.
“Her confidence has grown a lot and the experiences she’s had has developed her interest not only for film, but for the world in general”.
“I’ve noticed how cinema and watching movies has re-ignited her interest in reading. Her head is forever in a book!
“Additionally, we both have the opportunity to chat about some serious issues, because of the themes that come up in some of the films. I really appreciate that”. ■ Info Film Cymru is offering local school teachers, youth leaders and home educators the opportunity to visit the Galeri for free with their students as part of the Into Film Festival between 8 and 9 November. Tickets are limited and can be found at: www.intofilm. org/festival