Celyn Jones’ new film Madfabulous tells the 19th-century tale of Marquess of Anglesey Henry Paget and his infamously high-rolling ways. Dion Wyn, a north Walian freelance journalist who is also the Cinema Coordinator at Pontio in Bangor, is thrilled at the prospect of this putting Anglesey itself – Ynys Môn in Welsh – on the movie map.
The island known as Ynys Môn in Welsh and Anglesey in its Anglicised form has long attracted people with its beauty and the enduring pride of its residents. Even in tough economic times, their passion for the island shines. Known as Mam Cymru (mother of Wales), Môn serves as a central figure: a nurturing landscape and Welsh stronghold.
However, Ynys Môn has not always been in the spotlight. In a cinematic context, she has long been a supporting character, with her scenery and beauty the setting for notable productions. Films like 2006’s Half Light, starring Demi Moore, 2020’s Dr Dolittle, with Robert Downey Jr., and last year’s Daniel Day-Lewis vehicle Anemone have all been filmed here. They used the island’s film and TV studio Aria as a base, further driving the desire to work and make films on the island.
Now, though, Ynys Môn is ready to take centre stage, with films focusing not just on its beauty but uncovering unique narratives and voices. One name that continues to fly the flag for the place he calls home is director and actor Celyn Jones (The Almond And The Seahorse; Set Fire To The Stars). His next directorial feature, Madfabulous, tells the true story of Henry Paget, the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, and his eccentric life.
With Paget played by Callum Scott Howells, it portrays a riotous, flamboyant aristocrat in late 19th-century Wales who squandered his family’s fortune. The film opens with the Marquess arriving at Plas Newydd on the Menai Straits, giving viewers a glimpse of Ynys Môn and its untold stories. Henry’s arrival marks both his own new dawn and Môn’s to the big screen.
This drive is evident beyond Madfabulous. The passionate determination of Jones and his production company, Mad As Birds, to tell this story will be the foundation for an emerging body of work across various genres set on Ynys Môn. These include the LGBTQIA+ story On The Sea, directed by Helen Walsh, which is doing the rounds at various film festivals. There is also the mystery/thriller Black Church Bay, from Rhys Marc Jones. Both films were shot on location in Amlwch, with an anticipated release of late 2026.
All these films are different, formed from Môn’s nurturing ways. Filmmakers are drawn to this part of Wales. New, dynamic viewpoints about the island and its people are ready to be seen by the world. Passion and drive are fundamental to storytelling, as Jones himself said: “The next challenge, as a north Walian, is bringing more to north Wales and closing that gap; it has a lot to offer.”
There is importance in telling stories where they are based; it adds to and elevates the raw nature of storytelling. Being on home soil can inspire and bring nuance that being on sound stages or other locations can’t. To see a film like Madfabulous utilise the beauty and grandeur of Plas Newydd and Glynllifon is to delve into its history, and to give the audience that much-valued authenticity. Wales has an abundance of wonderful and fascinating areas across its vast land, and the domestic film sector is recognising this value.
Building on this creative surge, Môn has a passionate cohort of filmmakers, creatives, and cinemas – all with stories to tell. In recent years, we’ve seen Lindsay Walker win a BAFTA Cymru for The Welshman.RTS Cymru-winning filmmaker Matt Colin Evans recently received rave festival reviews for A Ray Of Hope: HAWFC – The Gym Of Champions. Pryia-Rose Brookwell starred in the recent family hit Grow, and young independent filmmaker Gruff Huws created the Welsh comedy film series Cicio on YouTube. The island also boasts community cinemas like Sinema Llangoed, and Holyhead independent venues Ucheldre and Empire – all flying the banner for film on the island.
Altogether, it’s evident that Ynys Môn is having her cinematic moment, but perhaps it is the foundation for more stories to be told there. Ultimately, this could become an inspiration for other corners of Wales that have yet to have their moment on the big screen.
Madfabulous is released in cinemas on Fri 5 June.
Info: here
This article was commissioned by Film Hub Wales as part of its Made In Wales project, which celebrates films with Welsh connections, thanks to funding from Creative Wales and the National Lottery via the BFI.
words DION WYN
