A new horror film written and directed by a Llandudno man is receiving rave reviews from film critics.
Russell Owen’s dark, atmospheric horror film called 'Shepherd', has made it to an Official Selection at the upcoming BFI London Film Festival 2021, a huge accolade.
The plot revolves around a man running from grief after the mysterious death of his wife, taking a job as a shepherd.
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Trapped alone on a weather-beaten island with an ominous secret.
The starring role is played by Tom Hughes best known for playing Prince Albert in the TV series Victoria. Hughes stars alongside Kate Dickie (Lysa Arryn in Game of Thrones) and Greta Scacchi, star of the films Presumed Innocent and The Player and cost around $5m to make.
The film has received a four star rating from Total Film magazine and Empire's horror film critic liked it so much that Russell admits he almost welled up when he talked to him.
![The movie poster for Owen Russell's atmospheric feature film 'Shepherd'.](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/article21760628.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_image0-2.jpg)
The premier will take place in November at the Curzon Soho on what will be Russell's 40th birthday.
His dreams of becoming a film-maker almost didn't take off when a career's advisor at his school, Ysgol John Bright, advised him against it, saying he didn't have the right connections and that it would be too hard.
"He suggested I should get a job in IT instead but thank goodness I didn't listen to him as I'd wanted to be a film-maker since watching Jaws at the age of five," laughed Russell.
He says his inspiration for storytelling began in North Wales. He studied illustration and screenwriting at UCA (University of the Creative Arts). after completing an Arts Foundation Course at Coleg Menai. On graduating he moved to London, working as the producers assistant on horror film 'An American Haunting' starring Donald Sutherland and Sissy Spacek.
Having worked for Nickelodeon, ITV, BBC and Channel 4 in 2008 Russell directed his first short film Anglesey Road, which went on to win several awards.
He has made dozens of adverts for brands such as American Express, Armani, L'Oreal, Specsavers and Diageo. He has met a few stars along the way, including David Beckham whom he has travelled with to Shanghai, Scotland and Milan with, making ads for the footballing legend's whiskey brand Haig.
![David Beckham in a tuxedo](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/article19511234.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/1_6th-Biennial-UNICEF-Ball-Arrivals.jpg)
"David Beckham really is lovely, when he comes into a room there's a real presence about him," said Russell.
"Tom Cruise came to one of Beckham's parties and no one knew he was coming so that was a surprise. I met him very briefly and he seems really nice and not so small as I was expecting.
"I also met Harrison Ford at a charity thing in the mens toilets. There was a security guard outside which I thought was a bit odd and then there was Indiana Jones washing his hands at the sink.
![Harrison Ford arrives at the 73rd annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/article13427421.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_JS111880727.jpg)
"I didn't say anything, but he gave me that sort of Harrison Ford half smile."
Russell had wanted to film Shepherd in Wales, but in the end it was filmed on the Isle of Mull in Scotland.
"Unfortunately we got more support from the Scottish Film Commission than the Welsh Government which was a shame, but I did film a bit of it on Marine Drive on the Great Orme and I used the quarry in Llysfaen for a scene," he explained.
"It's taken my 16 years from writing this story to getting it made it's been a long road as the film business is a tough one to be in.
"My dream job would be to direct a Bond film, I'll just have to persuade the producer Barbara Broccoli but I'll have to make a couple of other films first."
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He added: "My leading actor Tom Hughes is being talked up as a candidate for the next 007 and I think he'd be great."
'Shepherd' will be shown in a special screening at Pontio, Bangor, next January, with a Q&A with Russell.
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