Solomon & Gaenor (2000)

Synopsis: Documentary filmmaker Paul Morrison makes his fiction writing-directing debut with SOLOMON & GAENOR, the heartbreaking tale of two star-crossed lovers from vastly different worlds. With a script that uses Yiddish, Welsh and English,... Documentary filmmaker Paul Morrison makes his fiction writing-directing debut with SOLOMON & GAENOR, the heartbreaking tale of two star-crossed lovers from vastly different worlds. With a script that uses Yiddish, Welsh and English, the film features affecting performances by the talented young leads. In a bleak Welsh coal-mining town in 1911, life is joyless and laborious for young Gaenor (Nia Roberts) until a handsome packman comes selling cotton door-to-door. Solomon (Ioan Gruffudd) is immediately smitten with pretty Gaenor, but fearing prejudice from her chapel-going miner family, does not reveal his true identity. Calling himself "Sam Livingstone," Solomon hides that his parents are devout Orthodox Jews who own a pawnshop in a nearby village. The young couple cannot deny their passion for each other and become lovers. Gaenor introduces "Sam" to her family, but is confused and hurt when he does not reciprocate. Meanwhile, tensions mount in the town as the miners threaten to strike, led by Gaenor's father, Idris (William Thomas), and her cruel, hard-drinking brother, Crad (Mark Lewis Jones). Separated by a chasm of religion, family, and language, Solomon and Gaenor must fight to protect their love in a harshly disapproving world, with potentially dangerous consequences. [More]

Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Nia Roberts, Sue Jones Davies, William Thomas

Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Nia Roberts, Sue Jones Davies, William Thomas, Mark Lewis Jones, Maureen Lipman, David Horovitch, Bethan Ellis Owen, Adam Jenkins, Cybil Shaps, Daniel Kaye, Elliot Cantor

Director: Paul Morisson

Director: Paul Morisson
Producer: Sheryl Crown
Composer: Ilona Sekacz

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