The Ballad Of Wallis Island

Directed by James Griffiths
United Kingdom
2024
100 mins
Carey Mulligan stars in this charming comedy, in which an eccentric lottery winner bankrolls an unwitting reunion of his favourite musical duo – who happen to be former lovers.

In a creative crisis and looking to fund a new album, folk artist Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden) travels to Wallis Island, Wales, to play a private gig for a huge fee – courtesy of resident millionaire Charles (Tim Key, This Time with Alan Partridge). Herb isn’t too pleased to learn that he’s not being put up in a hotel but in Charles’ own shambolic mansion. Even worse is the discovery that the gig is actually a reunion show with his former bandmate and lover, Nell Mortimer (Mulligan). As the pair rehearse, old tensions resurface and sparks fly, while the relentlessly positive Charles tries to keep the peace and his dream gig on track. Combining laughs with deep emotion, this beautifully performed ballad is pitch perfect.

James Griffiths’ tender comedy-drama… has a ton of heart, a generosity of spirit and an ultimately disarming sweetness that make it sneak up on you, cynicism be damned. It’s also quite funny, in an eccentric, decidedly British way.
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

Films showing at this event

Tickets

Sat 30 August 2025, 7pm
Tamworth - Forum 6 Cinemas - Forum 6 Cinemas
  • Year
    2024
  • Classification
    Unclassified 15+
  • Country
    UK
  • Language
    In English
  • Director
    James Griffiths
  • Producer
    Rupert Majendie
  • Cast
    Carey Mulligan, Tom Basden, Tim Key
  • Screenwriter
    Tom Basden, Tim Key
  • Cinematographer
    G. Magni Ágústsson
  • Editor
    Quin Williams
  • Genre
    Arts, Comedy, Music, Romance
  • Company Credits
    Australian Distributor: Park Circus
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Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

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