IN THE SWANSEA VALLEY, NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM!

It didn’t make the front page of the South Wales Evening Post, but on New Year’s Eve, Lower Cwmtwrch was invaded by aliens.

Nobody noticed them popping down for a celebratory glass of Prosecco and a ham sandwich amongst the cacophony of fireworks, renditions of “Agadoo” and general revelry for which Lower Cwmtwrch is renowned.

No. I’m not clutching a half-empty bottle of scrumpy.

The aliens were characters in the new science-fiction comedy film “Canaries” and were accompanied by a film crew under the supervision of Swansea-born director and writer Peter Stray.

The film, which depicts aliens gate-crashing a New Year’s Eve party, stars Kai Owen, Robert Pugh, Hannah Daniel and Cwmtwrch-born Craig Russell, who is also the producer.

Craig’s a busy boy.

Earlier this year he starred in the S4C comedy series “Anita”.

Despite “Canaries” being filmed in other locations as far-flung as Washington DC, Vietnam and Martha’s Vineyard, amazingly the budget was less than £30,000!

On such a tiny budget it was only possible to make the film because the cast and crew believed in the script so much they were willing to defer salaries.

Craig said the film also had enormous help from the local community

“My mother, who runs the post office, together with Ruth Levy, did all the catering, and housed the cast, crew . . . and the aliens!

“We filmed next to my mother’s shop in a converted chapel, knocked on doors asking if we could plug things in and filmed late into the night, but no-one complained.

“They even closed The Castle pub just to let us film.

“I’m very proud to come from Cwmtrwch. There’s nowhere else like it in the world!”

But just remember, if aliens try and gate-crash your New Year’s Eve party this year, don’t let ’em in.

Because they won’t be actors!

“Canaries” will be released soon.