Aberfan documentary - production diary 31/01/2021
Those of you who know me, know this is something I've been wanting to work on for a long long time. I’ve got production notes on this dating back to 2016, and then some more dating back to 2019. It’s one of those topics that hits way too close to home for me, and every time I feel like I’m ready to make it, I feel the lump growing in my throat.
Trying to put yourself in the shoes of the people who endured the disaster that unfolded on the 21st October 1966 is something so impossible, but the importance of telling this story, and hearing it from the mouthes of the people who lived it first hand is so significant to the history of this country and something that brought so much grief and heartbreak to a lot of people I love, it's a topic I find myself coming back to time and time again, but now it's something I think I’m ready to tackle.
What am I trying to achieve by making a diary about this project? I don’t really know, I suppose in a couple months time when the documentary is out there for the world to see it’ll be interesting to look back and see the process of creating it day by day. But I think more than anything this is a way of me venting, writing down how I’m feeling, and offloading all the baggage that comes with diving head first into a topic that’s so personal and emotionally crippling. I've made documentaries on some pretty tough topics before homelessness, drug addiction, PTSD, but nothing comes close to this for me.
For those of you who don't know about the disaster. On the 21st October 1966 a colliery spoil tip collapsed on top of the mountain overlooking the Welsh village of Aberfan. 150,000 tones of coal spoil avalanched down the mountain. The barrage of rock and shale collided with Pant Glas primary school and the surrounding houses, killing 116 children and 28 adults. The disaster was caused by a build up of water caused by the tip being built on a naturally occurring spring and heavy rainfall in the prior days.
55 years on and the effects of the disaster can still be felt today, it’s a dark cloud that still looms over the village of Aberfan. A complete generation lost, parents left without children, and those who were lucky enough to survive endure post traumatic stress and survivors guilt.
Anyone who’s ever tried to make a documentary will understand how difficult this stage of pre-production always is. The endless research, trawling through archives and trying to reach out to people to speak with is usually a real headache. But it’s overwhelmingly powerful how willing people are to talk about what they experienced on that day. And not just that, people who want to talk are encouraging friends and family to talk too. You get in touch with one person and not only are they eager to talk, they’ll give you a full list of email addresses and phone numbers of people they know who also want to talk. Aberfan endured unfathomable tragedy in 1966, but the heart of that community lives on in unbelievable strength today.
Everything is still early days at the moment, I’m currently writing up a production plan and got some days in February penned in to start filming some interviews with survivors, rescuers and local historians. I’m currently in the process of chatting to some great people at Rhondda Heritage Park and The National Museum Wales who have been incredibly helpful.
Like I said at the start of this post, I’ve tried to get the ball rolling on this project so many times. But now finally feels like the right time.
