Film Screening and Discussion: “The Days of Dylan Thomas,” Wednesday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. (East Haven Public Television, 230 Main St.)

Join us for a film screening of The Days of Dylan Thomas followed by a discussion and Q & A with independent documentary film maker Chris Kepple. The screening will take place on Wednesday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. at East Haven Public Television, 230 Main Street.

The Days of Dylan Thomas is a 21-minute documentary film on the life and death of the celebrated Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, and is made from still photographs and, in part, from Thomas’ own recorded voice.

Based on the photographs of Rollie McKenna with contributing photographs by other American and British photographers, it is an excellent companion to the pictorial biography, The Days of Dylan Thomas, by Bill Read and Rollie McKenna.

McKenna’s film on the life and poetry of Dylan Thomas is made from photographs of deceptive serenity, skillfully woven with a lean narration which includes some of the Welsh poet’s own words. These elements are integrated with a music score of considerable distinction and discretion. The result is a moving cinematic experience which honors the poet with dignity and affection.

An uncanny portrait of the poet comes off the screen—charming, gifted, beset by disquietude, driven to wild hilarity and clowning, burdened by the cares of living. Selections from his work, spoken by Dylan Thomas himself with his own Welsh magic, are alternately passionate, gentle, desperate, soaring. Together with the images of great beauty and revelation, the effect is a low-keyed unremitting tension. Dylan Thomas is quite simply unforgettable.

Chris Kepple joined Green Planet Films in 2022 as the Chief Operating Officer and became Executive Director in 2024. There, he is committed to education-driven documentary distribution work, and teaching filmmaking workshops, and creating educational programs that connect filmmakers and audiences. Kepple is an independent documentary filmmaker. His documentary films have appeared on Colorado Public Television, Connecticut Public Television, Rhode Island Public Television and the RTÉ Network in Ireland. As a director he has created numerous  programs and films on the subjects of music, food, visual art and literature.

This event is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be served. Please register ahead by sending an email to Cynthia, Community Services Librarian at: cgwiazda@hagamanlibrary.org.

This program is made possible by a generous donation of space by East Haven Public Television, 230 Main Street.