There's Another Country

An excellent combination of state-or-the-nation material woven with personal and regional history. Very moving.

Moving ,idiosyncratic blend of the personal and the political , looking at the forces that led to the establishment of the post war consensus in the U.K. and it's current dissolution.

Jane Clarke

Oct 24, 2025

10

This is such a powerful film. It explores how truama affects us. We learn abut Martin's father who experienced profound deprerssion late in life. Martin return to the town in Wales where his father grew up and discovers that in 1913 it was the site of the worst mining disaster in UK history. Every family was affected with loss and grief. The film also explores the trauma of Covid and how the Conservative government failed the people. It shows that the personal IS political. Highly recommended.

'There’s Another Country' is a unique film from a singular artist, Martin Nichols. It is an epic poem or letter of remembrance for his father, the son of a miner born in 1918; it shows the deep love within his family but is unflinching as it uncovers events within his parents’ marriage that caused it to fissure and break. The film is bookended by two tragedies: the COVID-19 pandemic; and a colliery disaster – a massive explosion in a mine – in the Welsh (former) mining village of Senghenydd in 1913, the worst industrial accident of any kind in British history. 439 men and boys lost their lives. The filmmaker’s grandfather continued to work in the mine, surrounded by the ghosts of his former colleagues. The film is a tribute to, and reminder of, what is lost to history by political cynicism and expediency; a reckoning with the damage wrought by denial and its attendant (unavoidable, unexamined, unbearable) pain. As such, it is deserving of respect, recognition and a wide audience.

Such a moving film, weaving together - so insightfully and creatively - personal and political stories. The section about the Senghenydd mining disaster is especially affecting and important.

This film movingly interweaves the auteur's reflections on the disintegration of his country and his family. Contains multitudes.

A moving tribute to the father of the director- Martin Nichols- and to the men who died in the biggest Welsh mining disaster in 1913 and examining how society has changed since then showing a blend of personal and political thoughts and feelings both nostalgic and defiantly bleak at times. I found it a thoughtful and heartfelt film told in a moving and successful way.

Moving and engaging

Beautifully made - you can feel the craftsmanship in every shot. I loved the heady mix of history & current affairs and family narratives & national ones which came together to ask some really important questions about Britain today. Powerful stuff. And, excellent music throughout. Thoroughly enjoyed!

I thought it was going to be a rant about Brexit (entitled of course), but actually it’s much more interesting. A love letter to Martin’s father. And, blimey, there’s a lot in there. Very personal. The section on the mine disaster is really powerful. Lots of the same influences that men of a certain trajectory have been exposed to. I enjoyed those of course. (Dylan - When you gonna wake up? Everything is broken), Lear, ol’ Hunter S. There is a chilling hauntedness that runs through it. Top effort

A really beautiful and moving film. It stayed with me.

This is an interesting story I love it

Martin Nichols has given us a searing exposition of class, tragedy and corruption viewed through the travails of his own family. This is a personal and moving account of how the reverberations of a mining tragedy can affect succeeding generations. He painstakingly exposes what has been forgotten or deliberately concealed in this absorbing and troubling film.

This is staggering in its slow pace and increasing power. I am in tears at the end and moved beyond words. It is a film that everyone should see. The specific is quietly shown to be driven by wider powers. This man's tribute to his father is infinitely painful in its tact and reserve, and in the same tone we follow the story of a most monstrous pit disaster. I don't know how to describe it. It is overwhelming in its tenderness, yet quietly driven by an anger against capitalism. Yet still my words are crude. Watch it!

An intensely moving elegy for the filmmaker’s family and past, for the lost postwar settlement, for those killed in the Welsh mining disaster and, generally, for the country we all know and miss in our current social and political misery. I’ve never seen such a wide ranging and deeply affecting film, shot through as it is with such love and insight. Absolutely compulsory viewing and deserves rewards and plaudits.

Sensitive, thought-provoking and beautifully filmed. What more can one ask for?

It is impressive that this film is shot on Super8 as it is so long, in that area alone there must have been a lot of work. The story contains good callbacks and is a strong tribute to a man who lived quite a life. If you don't feel anything after watching this (then) seek medical attention. Martin I hope you and the team make another film.