This article is about the movie. For other uses, see
Twin town.
Twin Town is a 1997 black comedy film made and set in Swansea, south Wales, although some parts were filmed in Port Talbot and Briton Ferry. It was directed by Kevin Allen and had a working title of Hot Dog; a hot dog van features in a number of scenes in the film. It stars real-life brothers Rhys Ifans and Llŷr Ifans and also features Dougray Scott. In typical Hitchcock style the director appears on screen, briefly seen as a show host on a TV set in the static caravan home of the twins.
Plot
The Lewis "twins" of the title are not twins but brothers. They spend their lives stealing cars, sniffing glue and challenging each other to a "... huge toke (of cannabis) on the bong." Fatty Lewis, their father, falls from a ladder while doing roofing work for Bryn Cartwright, a wealthy, prominent local businessman and small-time gangster. The twins attempt to demand compensation for the accident. Bryn refuses. The twins take revenge by ruining a local karaoke competition in which Bryn's daughter, beautiful Bonny is singing, by urinating on her during the performance. Bryn and Terry Walsh, a corrupt police detective, beats up the twins.
As retaliation continues, the feud spirals out of control, progressing with the beheading of the Cartwrights' pet poodle to Terry Walsh setting fire to the Lewises' dog's kennel; a gas bottle explodes, destroying the Lewises' mobile home and causing the deaths of the twins' family, leading to the murder of Terry by the twins in retaliation.
The twins grant their father's wish of having a burial at sea, with the coffin respectfully draped in the Welsh flag. The film's only poignant moment ensues as the local choir (played by Fardref Male voice choir) sing the song "Myfanwy" in Welsh at the end of Mumbles pier. Meanwhile, however, Terry Walsh, his eyes terrified and pleading, has been gagged and bound to the coffin, which rapidly sinks.
The twins are last seen sailing out to sea, heading for Morocco.
Twin Town Sequel
The director of cult 1990s black comedy Twin Town is aiming to reunite some of the cast for a follow-up he is writing. Directed by Kevin Allen it starred Rhys Ifans, his real life brother Llyr and a host of Welsh character actors.
Allen, who grew up in Swansea, said he felt the time was right to revisit some of the characters and the city.
"I would say it's a follow-up. It's Swansea 12 years on," he said.
"I've changed and the city has changed - the landscape has changed a lot. It seems like the right time."
He said he had spoken to the Ifans brothers and they were keen to revisit their roles.
"Bringing the twins back is the obvious continuum. They are both well up for it."
He said he and his writing partner Paul Durden had yet to sit down and start the script but he had some ideas of where he wanted the characters to go.
"We have the money to write it and then we'll go and make it," he added.
The Lewis Bros, as played by the Ifans Bros, closed out the first film by heading off to Morocco and, apparently, the sequel concept has them returning as Muslim fundamentalists. It has the working title of Fatty Al Akbar, a pun on the Arabic takbir ‘Allahu Akbar’, meaning God is Great.
A script for the sequel is to be written in 2010, and has a estimated release date for sometime in 2011.
Cast
See also
External links
