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Bridgend is a 2013 British film directed by Jeppe Rønde. The movie is a fictionalized retelling of a real-life tragedy that happened in the small town of Bridgend, located in South Wales. The movie premiered at the Rotterdam Film Festival in January 2015 and has since been shown at several other festivals around the world.

The film follows the story of a teenage girl named Sarah (played by Hannah Murray), who moves to Bridgend with her father, a police officer. Sarah soon discovers that a number of her fellow classmates have been committing suicide, and that these tragedies are linked to a strange and disturbing phenomenon that seems to be taking over the town.

As Sarah delves deeper into the mystery behind the suicides, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies that threaten to tear apart the fabric of the community. In her quest for truth, Sarah meets a number of other troubled teenagers who are all struggling to make sense of the inexplicable events around them.

One of these teenagers is Jamie (Josh O'Connor), a troubled young man who becomes romantically involved with Sarah. Jamie is deeply affected by the suicides, and his mental state deteriorates rapidly as the movie progresses. Another important character is Danny (Aled Thomas), a loner who turns to music as a way of dealing with the pain and isolation he feels.

The film's main theme is the effects of mass hysteria on a tight-knit community. The director uses a mix of realism and surrealism to create a haunting and unsettling atmosphere, which perfectly captures the darkness and despair that pervades the town. The cinematography is stunning, with a strong emphasis on naturalistic lighting and visceral, hand-held camerawork.

Perhaps the movie's greatest strength is its powerful performances, particularly those of Murray and O'Connor. Both actors give nuanced and emotionally complex portrayals of their respective characters, conveying a sense of vulnerability and authenticity that is truly captivating.

Another notable aspect of the film is the score, which includes a hauntingly beautiful original song written and performed by the Welsh singer, Cate Le Bon. The music perfectly complements the mood of the film, adding an extra layer of depth and meaning to the already richly textured story.

If there is one weakness to the movie, it is perhaps the pacing. Some viewers may find the slow, deliberately paced narrative a bit frustrating, especially in the first half of the film. However, those who stick with it will be rewarded with a deeply affecting and thought-provoking story that resonates long after the credits roll.

Overall, Bridgend is a powerful and haunting movie that explores some of the darkest aspects of human behavior. The film's unflinching portrayal of suicide and mental illness may be difficult for some audiences to watch, but it is also an essential and vital work of cinema that deserves to be seen and appreciated.

Bridgend is a 2013 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.