A Conversation with James Griffiths, Akemnji Ndifornyen, Tom Basden & Tim Key (THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND)
I had the opportunity to speak with key talent behind The Ballad of Wallis Island. This charming tale follows eccentric lottery winner Charles (Tim Key) who manages to reunite his favorite folk-rock duo, McGwyer Mortimer, for a private performance at his remote Welsh home. What begins as a simple concert becomes emotionally complex when former bandmates and ex-lovers Herb (Tom Basden) and Nell (Carey Mulligan) confront their shared past, with Nell’s husband Michael (Akemnji Ndifornyen) adding to the delicate dynamic.
The film represents an evolution of creative partnerships, expanding the BAFTA-nominated 2007 short The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island into a full-length feature. Director James Griffiths reunited with writers/stars Key and Basden, whose friendship spans two decades of British comedy. Shot in just 18 days in the atmospheric Welsh countryside, the production features 25 original folk songs written by Basden, who along with Key, created this heartfelt exploration of artistic integrity, second chances, and the sometimes uncomfortable relationship between artists and their most devoted fans.
James Griffiths (Director):
Hammer To Nail: You mention wanting to build an atmosphere that’s “hopeful but tinged with melancholy” – how did shooting in Wales help achieve this tone?
James Griffiths: I’m Welsh, and there is a lot of melancholy there. Probably has to do with the weather, it’s grim. That was innate in the fabric of the location really. It’s a very dark, ominous and bleak place that hopefully we can bring some sunshine and hope to. There’s beauty there too. In all that bleakness there is a beauty to the island and Wales.
HTN: The film took 18 days to shoot – how did that tight schedule affect your directorial approach?
JG: With comedy I have always tried to be as simple as possible in terms of the blocking and how I go about shooting. It was still a lot of planning, shot listing, rehearsal with the guys to make sure we could move quickly. I got a great rapport with them and the crew. We have a shorthand that makes it quicker. I was also lucky to have such great actors. That made things much easier and there was a great energy on set.
Akemnji Ndifornyen (Michael):
HTN: The film shot in Wales in just 18 days – how did that intensive schedule affect the ensemble dynamic?
Akemnji Ndifornyen: It was great. This cast and crew, Tom Basden, Tim Key, James Griffiths, and Carey Mulligan are just so incredible it never felt intense. There’s a lot of tight productions I have been on where everybody is so rushed and tense, this was very calm. It was also very family-like. We were always shooting the breeze during downtime. The actors were also so generous it just made everything so easy.
HTN: As both a writer and performer yourself, what resonated with you about this story of artistic choices and second chances?
AN: It was a very lyrical script. There was so much poetry in those themes you are talking about and redemption. He is at a point in his life where he is seeing his former paramore with someone else and in some ways it’s everything he is not. That message resonates through the film but generally, it just feels like a nice hug. I also just love the soundtrack so much.
A still from THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND
HTN: This is an intimate story with a small cast – how does that compare to your bigger TV productions? Does it change your approach?
AN: I started on intimate kinds of films like these. My first film was an improvised drama for the BBC. It was a very heartfelt story about kids who go to prison. That was a very similar, quick turnaround kind of production. I have been fortunate enough to go on and do some bigger and louder things. It was nice to return to those roots in a lot of ways. Really simple, pared back, no pyrotechnics, just true performances.
Tom Basden (Herb McGwyer/Writer):
HTN: You wrote and composed all 25 songs for McGwyer Mortimer – which artists influenced the band’s folk-rock sound?
Tom Basden: I wanted the music to feel quite timeless. A lot of the songs are in the tradition of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Paul Simon singer songwriters going back a few decades. There’s also more modern stuff like Gillian Welch, Ryan Adams or Sufjan Stevens. I did not want it to feel too specific. As a band they kinda had their own thing, but they also know where they stand. They were not a huge stadium band. They were a niche singer-songwriter outfit. There was a lot in my head as I was doing the music.
Tim Key (Charles Heath/Writer):
HTN: You and Tom Basden have collaborated since your Freeze days – how has your creative partnership evolved writing this feature?
Tim Key: All the stuff we were writing for Freeze, when we did our sketch show it was always just one of us writing it. We had the same, very quick, process. One of us would read it and ask a ton of questions until the best rose to the top. This was very different. We were together writing a feature, and it was much more scary. This was a lot more planning and working out what the plot should be. We talked a lot about how it would all work. Tom works really fast. He is pounding away at his typewriter and I am just trying to keep up. In the end it felt like an even collaboration but I will always remember the feeling that he was leading the charge.
HTN: How did your poetry background influence the film’s more lyrical moments?
TK: I have always had a love for words. When I am writing there are 3 things happening. I am making sure that the story/characters are believable, but I am also making sure my love of worlds is infused in the film. You see that with my character who similarly has this love for words.
HTN: The film explores fandom through Charles – what research informed playing a superfan?
TK: Who did I stalk? Hahaha
HTN: Yes, exactly.
TK: Honestly, no research. I would love to say I did some for this film. There is a lot of that idea though. What is it like to love someone you don’t know? I have definitely had that from afar. Watching people on screen or sports, you think, “meeting them would be an amazing thing!” But, no I have never done it myself haha.
HTN: The press notes mention Charles lacks a “stop button” – how did that quality inform your performance?
TK: It absolutely did. I remember a while back there was a film called Spider. I found it really intoxicating that he is just constantly muttering and chuntering throughout the whole film. I think that is the same with this. It’s the same with my character, this kind of verbal diarrhea that just goes and goes. The key was to have enough on screen that you feel sorry for this character, but not so much that the audience can’t handle it.
– Jack Schenker (@YUNGOCUPOTIS)
Post a Comment
