FylmK Success: An Tarow

To date, a diverse range of themes has been explored through our FylmK commission and An Tarow (The Bull), a drama that tackles domestic abuse woven into Cornish folklore, shows a side of Cornwall rarely portrayed on screen.

A shadow seems to follow Peder wherever he goes. Whilst happiest in the open landscapes around the Quoit close to his home, he cannot shake the presence of a bull – An Tarow – that threatens to overwhelm him and his mother Cara. He knows his father is violent and has become numb to what happens downstairs after he’s gone to bed. Yet his mother keeps him as removed as she can through their shared love of folktales.

With just over 18 months since its completion, An Tarow has had a successful first year on the UK festival circuit, with screenings and award nominations both in the Southwest and further afield. In August, the film made its premiere at the BAFTA qualifying Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, where it was subsequently nominated in the Best Celtic Short category alongside the likes of Orson Cornick’s Choker, The West Kerry Cowboy by Cian O’Connor, and Rhys Marc Jones' Pale Saint.

In September, the film was widely praised at London based Little Wing Film Festival, where it picked up two nominations recognising Ella Turner in the Best Editing category, and René Huwaë for Best Cinematography as well as an award win for Jonny Dry in the Best Director category.

With lockdown easing, An Tarow went on to have its theatrical release at The Poly as part of Cornwall Film Festival, as well as a screening in February at Exeter Pheonix’s Two Short Nights Festival. Most recently, An Tarow has screened alongside Behind The Postcard - a film created in response to the 2021 G7 Summit hosted in Cornwall - in community venues across Cornwall.