New Welsh sci-fi action thriller The Machine has been creating a buzz at film festivals on both sides of the Atlantic and now Cardiff audiences will have their chance to see it at an exclusive screening this weekend to mark St David’s Day.
Directed by Caradog James and made in Cardiff by Red and Black Films, The Machine scooped three BAFTA Cymru awards last year for Special Achievement for Film along with Best Costume Design for Chrissie Pegg and Original Music for Tom Raybould.
It also won Best UK Feature at the Raindance Film Festival and The Raindance Award at the British Independent Film Awards as well as Best Sci-Fi and Best Actress in the Toronto After Dark Film Festival.
The Machine. Image courtesy of Red and Black Films.
The Machine stars Caity Lotz (The Pact) and Toby Stephens (Die Another Day) and the fast-paced plot sees the UK and China engaged in a technological Cold War. Vincent, a brilliant scientist working for the Ministry of Defence toils away at perfecting Britain’s weaponry, although his real concern lies with his daughter who has a condition called Rett Syndrome. A solution is found in Ava, his lab partner's mind - a programme possessing her replicated brain patterns.
Together, Vincent and Ava create the first ever piece of self-aware artificial intelligence, but things go wrong when the MoD steal their breakthrough and teach it to become a robotic weapon for Britain's cold war.
This weekend Film Agency Wales has teamed up with the Wales Millennium Centre to bring writer-director Caradog James and producer John Giwa-Amu over from Los Angeles for a post-screening Q&A session during which they’ll give an insight into how they brought The Machine to life.
The film is not officially released until the end of March so the event will act as a sneak preview and is part of a weekend programme of activities to mark St David’s Day at the Wales Millennium Centre.
Film fans will also be able to join BAFTA-winning filmmaker Gerald Conn for workshops on his special sand-on-glass animation where they can try out the technique and create short sand animation under the camera.
Mr Dog Media are also showcasing their multiplatform project Banshee, a new fusion of multiplayer Facebook game and film. They will also demonstrate the pioneering new virtual reality technology that immerses audiences into the spirit world of Banshee.
The WMC is also offering a busy programme of free performances on the Glanfa stage throughout the weekend with artists including Côr y Mochyn Du and harpist, Ann Williams.
There will be a free identity board workshop, where participants can express their Welsh connections, either on the giant public canvas or a personal cut-out. Younger visitors are encouraged to take part in a mini make and do workshop to create their own Welsh trinkets and treasures, while the over 10s can enjoy a workshop with a local graffiti artist outside the centre.
Visitors are also welcome to take in the Aur exhibition which features work from the last 10 years of National Eisteddfod Gold Medal winners in Fine Art and Craft and Design.
Mathew Milsom, Managing Director, Wales Millennium Centre said: “With our national day falling on a weekend this year, it gives us a fantastic opportunity to showcase a programme of cultural activity with broad appeal for all the family on both Saturday and Sunday.
“And what’s more, it’s free! As Wales’ national centre for the performing arts, Wales Millennium Centre is the obvious place to come and celebrate St David’s Day in the capital city.”
The daytime activities are free and unreserved, but you can book tickets for The Machine from the Wales Millennium Centre box office now on 02920 636464 or at www.wmc.org.uk.
Find out more about the St David’s Day weekend at Wales Millennium Centre.