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Reviews
Darklands (1996)
This dark and forbidding chiller marks a promising debut for young director Julian Richards
Set in recession hit Port Talbot, Darklands has local reporter Fraser Truick (Craig Fairbrass) digging through murky pagan goings-on as local churches are desocrated by slaughtered pigs and what-have-you... It's obviously the work of some dark force and not the local RSPCA, reckons Truick, who finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into a druidic conspiracy. Fairbrass' Truick completely anglicised to the point of having a cockney accent, is a perfect metaphor for Celtic cultural angst, and his pedigree and fate as sacrificial victim is poetic. Darkland's villains - especially local politician David Keller - are well portrayed as they are menacing. Richard's central message is also unusual, attacking the Celtic renaissance for being intolerant. (Unless of course he's implying all anglicised Welshman should be ritually slaughtered. You never know). In the world of British film-making, it's an impressive achievement. Julian Richards is definately a name to watch out for.