Wales is fast becoming a rival TO Hollywood.
No, I haven’t been drinking or forgotten to take my medication.
Apart from Swansea’s busy Bay Studios, Bridgend’s moth-balled Dragon Studios recently reopened for the multi-million dollar American TV series “The Bastard Executioner” and Pinewood (Wales) have opened studios between Cardiff and Newport.
The original Pinewood Studios have long been associated with the James Bond franchise, so it’s ironic that while Carwyn Jones stood outside the Pinewood (Wales) studios and said…
“The fact Pinewood has chosen to open a facility in Wales is testament to our beautiful landscape, vibrant cities, wonderful historical assets; our highly skilled and dedicated workforce; and the flexible support on offer from the Welsh Government
…over at the Welsh Assembly, the Presiding Officer rejected a request from the makers of “Spectre”, the latest Bond film, to shoot a sequence in the Senedd!
A classic case of the right hand not having a clue what the left one is doing.
As well as “Spectre”, I’m looking forward seeing a new film called “Blood Moon”, a supernatural-Western penned by a friend of mine, Welsh comedy writer Alan Wightman, who’s branched-out into writing screenplays.
From what he tells me, this film only got made thanks to the perseverance of the producers and director. It took seven years from the time Alan wrote the first draft until the cameras started rolling – during which time he completed countless re-writes.
It’s been screened at festivals worldwide, including South Korea, Brussels and the Ravenna Film Festival, Italy where it won the Audience Award For Best Film.
“Blood Moon” features a cast of familiar faces, including Shaun Dooley from “Broadchurch 2“ and “The Woman In Black” and Corey Johnson from “Captain Phillips”.
Amazingly, for a small, British, indie film, “Blood Moon” has just been released on DVD in the U.S.A., while Studio Canal (who enjoyed massive success with “Paddington” and “The Imitation Game”) are releasing it here on DVD and VOD on October 5th.
“Blood Moon” had a Welsh premiere organised by Bafta Cymru at Cardiff’s Chapter Arts and will be screened at independent cinemas around the U.K. – including the Savoy Theatre, Monmouth on October 23rd.
Halloween would have been more appropriate, but that night the Savoy is showing a certain film starring Daniel Craig that won’t include any scenes shot inside the Senedd!
As the Presiding Officer might have said as she slammed the front door shut…
“Ah! Mr Bond! We’re not expecting you!