The 1940s-style movie, set for a February release, aims to shine a spotlight on Colwyn Bay’s ‘glorious past’
A North Wales town is taking centre stage in a new 1940s-style film noir set for release this year. Colwyn Bay’s rich heritage is the backdrop to “The Fatal Dilemma”.
It is set in wartime Colwyn Bay where Ministry of Food workers relocated to escape London’s bombing raids. Based in a private investigator’s office, the film explores moral conflict, corruption, and the pursuit of truth in a world clouded by uncertainty.
Sofia Mavrou, its producer and writer, told North Wales Live: “This is more than a mystery – it’s a tribute to Colwyn Bay’s rich heritage and the vital contributions of the Ministry’s female employees during WWII.
“Our goal is to spotlight Colwyn Bay’s glorious past and architectural beauty, inspiring investment and tourism that benefits the local community. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
A completed scene from The Fatal Dilemma, a film noir set in Colwyn Bay in the 1940s. It is in pre-production and is due for release in February(Image: Sofia Sotiria Mavrou)
“With an award-winning script and a passionate team, we’re proud to be halfway through production – and excited to bring this story to life.”
Sofia, who is based in Colwyn Bay, also acts and plays Elena Morgan in the film.
The music is composed by Gaetano Malaponti whose classical works “Echoes of the Past” and “Variations on Llef” will appear in an upcoming documentary on Dinorwic Quarry by The Fatal Dilemma’s Director of Photography Rob Smith.
Sofia Sotiria Mavrou, the producer and actress of The Fatal Dilemma, plays Elena Morgan in the 1940s film noir set in Colwyn Bay(Image: Sofia Sotiria Mavrou)
Plot
In 1940s Colwyn Bay, private investigator John Morris returns to his office late at night, shaken and desperate.
He begins writing to his boss, Frank Williams, recounting the events that led to his distress. Through Morris’s flashback, we learn that Barbara Harrison, a Ministry of Food employee, uncovered discrepancies in food distribution accounts – shortly before she was found murdered.
Frank, the last person to see her alive, becomes the prime suspect. Determined to clear his boss’s name, Morris dives into a web of corruption, uncovering shady financial dealings and facing a moral dilemma that threatens to unravel everything he believes in.
Locations
Osborn Hall, Rydal School, Colwyn Bay
Rydal School’s Osborn Hall in Colwyn Bay is one of the locations for The Fatal Dilemma(Image: Sofia Sotiria Mavrou)
Sofia said: “We decided to choose this stunning location as the HQ of the Ministry of Food in our film. The Ministry of Food took over 38 hotels in the area when it moved from London to Colwyn Bay and Rydal Penrhos.
“Beautiful buildings were used to house various departments of the Ministry of Food so to us it was very important to film at this location. As a Grade II listed building, it (Rydal Penrhos) boasts beautiful wood paneling, parquet floors and stained-glass windows, which perfectly align with the 1940s noir aesthetic of our film.
Colwyn Bay Town Hall (exterior and interior)
The spokesman said: “The Colwyn Bay Town Hall was chosen as a filming location for the private investigator’s office in our film The Fatal Dilemma. As a Grade II listed Edwardian building, it provides an authentic backdrop that aligns with our film’s 1940s noir aesthetic.
“Its rich history including its role as a magistrates’ court and police station adds depth to the narrative, reflecting themes of justice and moral dilemmas which are central to our story. The Town Hall was also chosen for its interior decor which closely resembles that of Osborn Hall.
“With its exquisite wood paneling, parquet floors, a period fireplace and striking windows it makes a stunning office for our private investigator in our story and perfectly reflects our film’s 1940s noir aesthetic.”
St Paul’s Church, Colwyn Bay (exterior and interior)
St Paul’s Church in Colwyn Bay is the setting for a secret meeting in one scene in The Fatal Dilemma(Image: Sofia Sotiria Mavrou)
Sofia said: “One of our most atmospheric filming locations is the amazing grade II listed St Paul’s Church which provides an authentic backdrop that complements the film’s 1940s setting. The church is set in its own carefully maintained grounds.
“Inside the building is beautiful and has stone arches, stained glass windows and a high wooden roof. The secret meeting between John Morris and Elena Morgan plays out beneath the gothic shadows, where truth, tension, and noir atmosphere collide.”
Dunoon Hotel, Llandudno
Sofia said: “Another gorgeous filming location the Dunoon Hotel in Llandudno, was used due to the lack of hotels in Colwyn Bay that embodied our film’s 1940s noir aesthetic. Like the previous filming locations, the Dunoon Hotel was selected for its interior decor, which closely resembles that of the Town Hall and Osborn Hall.
“The Dunoon Hotel boasts stunning wooden paneling, rustic wooden furniture, intricate carpentry, warm, dark tones with subdued lighting, period ornaments and magnificent fireplaces. We filmed the bar scene for The Fatal Dilemma at this beautiful location.”
Crew
The crew includes director Paris Wharton and director of photography Rob Smith, both independent filmmakers based in North Wales. Rob was mentored by Werner Herzog during the film accelerator programme in Lanzarote in 2021, where he received praise for his filmmaking and cinematography style.
In 2025 he co-wrote and co-directed a play “Echoes in the Static” which won the Maynard Cup for Best Overall Production at the Welsh One Act Play Final in Cardiff. Bobby Sirrah, the assistant director, is an actor, writer, and producer from Llandudno.