Secrecy - 29th March 2012

Making a film is not an easy event, so imagine being a first-time director with limited resources.I can't contemplate how you start but fortunately they still do.

Thanks to a " friend of a friend" I was his "spy" at the screening of Tom Betts first full-length film " Secrecy" at G39 a gallery space now based behind the Ernest
Willows pub on City Road. Not the most glamorous of locations but these who attended the event were like a collective positive focus group whilst a little unsure about what we were about to witness. This was probably the perfect atmosphere for what we would soon see.

Greeted by the naturally nervous film-maker I grab my glass of wine and head for the front row (why does no-one ever sit there?) for the most intimate of views. The film (written by the director) revolves around the virtually unseen Sean (played in the distance by the multi-talented director). His story pieced together through Adrian claiming to be his brother and gradually revealing his pursuit of a rare (and therefore hugely expensive) substance.

As you would expect a lot is filmes in familiar Cardiff surroundings but then he plays his trump card and moves the story to Japan. But not the beautiful settings of Bond films etc, no this is grimy, industrial,dirty,grey Japan which fits the story perfectly.

The plot is obviously important but not vital to the success of the evening. We are here to support a new talent. The sound isn't great as you would expect from a large warehouse mainly used for exhibitions and rehearsal space for a forthcoming National Theatre of Wales production. The camerawork is handheld & jumpy, the editing is not always subtle but these unpolished edges enhance the unpredictable,seamy side of the story.

"Secrecy" is not going to take the independent cinema world by storm but it is an impressive first step on the ladder of full-length movie making. It shows Tom Betts knows how to tell a story and has good visual flair. All he needs is someone to nurture his talent and support his work in the future.

Good luck,Tom.