ALSO SHOWING
With
RAMS (12)
★★★★★
THE trailer seems to tee up a feelgood comedy, one of those knockabout affairs about quirky underdogs rallying together for a common cause.
But there’s much more to this gentle Aussie remake of the 2015 Icelandic film of the same name. It tells the story of two brothers who live on neighbouring farms but haven’t spoken for years.
When their parents died 40 years ago, the Grimurson brothers – sensible Colin (a perfectly cast Sam Neill) and his bitter, older and far more drunken sibling Les (Michael Caton) – ignored a woolly will and simply cut the family farm in half.
The cause of their falling out is never really explained – communication between the rival sheep breeders is largely restricted to grunts and steely glares across a barbed wire fence.
However, the brothers’ relationship sours further when Colin informs the authorities that Les’s prized ram has succumbed to a highly infectious disease. When health officials order a culling of their flocks, a metaphorical plague descends on both their houses.
Both men have dedicated their lonely lives to maintaining the bloodline of the Kalgan, a hardy breed established by their father to flourish in Mount Barker’s unique microclimate. But can the brothers stop butting horns?
■ ON digital now, review by Andy Lea
ALL MY LIFE (12)
★★★★★
ASPIRING chef Solomon Chau (Harry Shum Jr) doesn’t know the meaning of love until he meets Jenn Carter (Jessica Rothe).
The attraction is instant and they move in together. Solomon orchestrates an elaborate flash mob proposal and Jenn tearfully accepts, to the delight of their inner circle of friends including Amanda (Chrissie Fit), Dave (Jay Pharoah) and Kyle (Kyle Allen).
As the couple plan their dream wedding with Solomon in charge of catering, the groom-to-be suffers crippling stomach pains and is rushed to hospital. A scan reveals that he has advanced liver cancer.
Refusing to give up on their dream of fairytale nuptials before Solomon loses his battle, the couple set up a crowdfunding page in the hope they can raise enough money to bring the wedding date forward.
Based on a heart-breaking true story that demands more than one sniffle into a tissue before the end credits, All My Life hits the requisite emotional beats without straying too far from predictability.
■ From February 12 on Amazon Prime Video
THE ladies of Carmarthenshirebased Côr Persain are looking forward to recruiting new members and the eventual lifting of lockdown restrictions.
And they are busy looking for someone to take up the musical director’s baton from the hugelypopular Anne Wheldon.
Anne was due to retire last year, but has kindly stayed in post to help guide the choir through this difficult period.
Choir spokesman Rhian Thomas said choir members had been reflecting on their recent history and mourning the loss of two choristers.
Rhian said: “Looking back, in the 12 months prior to the first lockdown Côr Persain had enjoyed an amazing year. Covid-19 was an unknown and times were good.
“The choir had undertaken a wonderful trip to Northern Ireland to participate in its first competitive event. They loved taking part in the Bangor International Choir Festival, where the camaraderie between competing choirs was uplifting.
“They were pleased to enjoy first prize in the newcomers event. An added bonus was discovering Belfast and the beautiful Antrim coast.
“They also took part in a fundraising concert at Talog and were guests at the annual concerts of both the Severn Tunnel Brass Band and the Gwaun-cae-gurwen Silver Band.
“In October, 2019, they were delighted to sing at the Royal British Legion Annual Charity Gala Concert at The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen and shortly afterwards sang with Rhys Meirion (tenor, Tri Tenor Cymru) and his daughter Elan at Saron Chapel, one of the venues on his 20th anniversary tour.
“On a high, the choir recorded its first Christmas CD, What Sweeter Music, and held its annual Christmas concert in All Saints Church, Ammanford, along with Ammanford
Town Silver Band and guest compere Keri Morgan.
“The Christmas period had included much-enjoyed appearances at local events, including Aberglasney’s Winter Fair and the Christmas Fair at Dinefwr House.
“After a welcome Christmas break, the choir met again early in January to prepare for its annual summer
concert, which was to be a celebration of the choir’s 20th year.
“To mark this special anniversary, the choir had successfully bid for a grant from Ty Cerdd to commission a song.
“Local poet and friend of the choir, Beryl Owen, wrote the lyrics and well-loved Welsh composer Robat Arwyn was given the task of writing the music. The
Nodau’r Gan.
“Much to the choir’s dismay Anne Wheldon, its hugely popular MD, had announced her retirement which would take effect after the annual concert so a search began for a replacement.
“Practices continued apace with lots of new material to learn including Nodau’r Gan.
“Despite sadness that Anne was leaving practices continued to be a tonic with much fun and laughter and all the ladies looked forward with anticipation to the summer concert.”
Rhian added: “Amidst concerning news and much discussion about the spread of coronavirus, the choir were thrilled to take part in Your Wales at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. All enjoyed a coach trip to the capital to sing on the Donald Gordon stage at this Saint David’s Day event. What a privilege!
“Then, mid-march, everything came to a halt when concerns about meeting-up set in and on March 23 the official lockdown began. “Nearly a year has gone by . . . “The choir has kept in touch via email and the occasional Zoom meeting and has been pleased to make donations to two of our local food banks as well as to Marie Curie and the Vincent de Paul Society.
“2019 was a year of joy - but since lockdown the choir has experienced great sadness.
“The loss of two beautiful people and loyal altos has hit the choir hard.
“First, Alison Cunliffe, who passed away in July and, more recently Carole Fowler who died in a road traffic accident.
“Then, our lovely stalwart alto, Sarah Monaghan, a long-standing member, announced she would be moving to Scotland to be near family. Lockdown had precipitated this decision. song is entitled
Thankfully, Sarah is in regular touch and the choir will remember both Alison and Carole with huge fondness and will always be grateful for their contributions to the choir.
“Now everyone is looking forward to normality and very much hoping that some time this year practices can resume and a concert can be held in which we can sing ‘our song’, Nodau’r Gan.
“When the choir meets again it will be pleased to have new members.
“Anne has agreed to stay on for a while but if anyone is interested in replacing her please get in touch.
“Information about the choir can be found on www.corpersain.co.uk or www.facebook.com/corpersain or ring the secretary on 01269 851171.”
The Côr Persain choir is based in the village of Tycroes, near Ammanford. The word “Persain” is Welsh for “pure sound”.
■ During the coronavirus crisis, this column will not be featuring ‘live’ events, but will be putting the spotlight on West Wales singers and choirs and any online internet recordings. Please email if you are already planning an event postlockdown in 2021. If you have news of cancelled and postponed events, email robert.lloyd01@ walesonline. co.uk