Dan Stevens and Michael Sheen star in ground-breaking Wales-USA film project

US-based producers XYZ Films have linked up with Cardiff-based production company, Severn Screen, to produce the latest film from acclaimed Welsh director Gareth Evans, whose previous films The Raid and The Raid II were global hits. 

Apostle was commissioned by Netflix and will debut exclusively on the streaming service worldwide in 2018.

Support from the Welsh Government has ensured that the entire shoot and all post-production work on Apostle will be undertaken in Wales, providing a £5m plus boost to the economy.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates described Apostle as a ground-breaking production for Welsh film.

He said: 

“We are thrilled that Apostle will be distributed worldwide through Netflix and will provide a global platform for Welsh acting, directing, production and post production talent. I am delighted Welsh Government support was able to help secure the project for Wales.”

Wales Screen, part of the Welsh Government’s creative industries team, has been working with the producers since July 2016, to maximise the economic benefits for Wales. This has involved hosting site visits and identifying key locations for the film, including Margam Park where an elaborate village set has been built for the film. 

Ed Talfan, head of Severn Screen, said: 

“We are excited to be working with Gareth and the team at XYZ. From the outset they were keen to bring the project to Wales – it’s been a joy working with them to help make that happen. We look forward to bringing similarly ambitious projects to Wales in the future.”

Aram Tertzakian of XYZ Films: said 

“We’re thrilled to be working here in Wales. It has always been a dream of Gareth’s to make films in his home country, and the support of the Welsh government has helped us make that a reality. 

“We’ve been thoroughly impressed with the professionalism and enthusiasm of our Welsh crew. We hope this film will serve as a foundation for many more productions in Wales.”

Set in 1905, Apostle tells the story of a man (Stevens) who travels to a mysterious island off the coast of the UK in search of his estranged sister. On arriving he encounters a community led by enigmatic preacher (Sheen) who harbours a deep and terrifying secret.

The film also stars Welsh actor Mark Lewis Jones, winner of the 2016 BAFTA Cymru Best Actor Award for his role in Severn Screen’s film Yr Ymadawiad (The Passing). 

Talfan adds: 

“The project is a great opportunity to champion Welsh crews, Welsh cast, Wales based facilities houses and Welsh locations. 

“Severn Screen is committed to developing and supporting the sector in Wales, and this is an important step forward for us.”

Welsh facilities houses Cinematic and Bang are set to deliver post-production work on the film while local suppliers will also see spin-off benefits within the supply chain.



Key Scottish exports must be protected from Brexit disaster

Key Scottish exports must be protected from a Brexit disaster, Labour said today.

Speaking ahead of a visit to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said the Tories' reckless approach to leaving the European Union (EU) will put at risk the protected status of food and drink products such as black pudding, Scotch beef and lamb, Arbroath Smokies and whisky.

A number of food and drink products in Scotland and across the UK have protected status under EU law. This protects the products against imitation throughout the EU.

Labour has asked the UK Government how it will protect the brand status of UK products registered under the EU's Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) schemes.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said:

"The Tories' reckless Brexit gamble has put key Scottish exports like black pudding, Scotch beef and whisky at risk.

"Food and drink exports are a key part of the Scottish economy, particularly our island economies. They secure jobs, grow the economy and are essential to the distinctive nature of Scotland's Highlands and Islands. 
"Any post-Brexit trade deal must protect the status of our key food and drink products. The Tories would sell our islands' economies down the river. Only a Labour government will fight to keep the protected status of key British food and drink products.

"With one vote for Labour on June 8, Scots can reject both Theresa May's plan for a hard Brexit and Nicola Sturgeon's plan for a divisive second independence referendum."



Ending an historic injustice in mental health care

Excellent healthcare is at the heart of our vision for Britain. As a leading liberal democracy, our public services should – and can be – the envy of the world. The Lib Dems are committed to making this vision a reality.

Last weekend, Tim Farron and I announced our five point NHS and care recovery plan, which laid out our health strategy for the next parliament – generating an extra £6bn funding boost.

Today, we are proud to announce that £1bn of this money will be ring-fenced and dedicated to 12 key priorities in mental health.

These priorities include improving waiting time standards for mental health care on the NHS, providing support for pregnant women, and trebling the number of people accessing psychological therapies.

You can read the full report here.

Why are we doing this? Because services have been stretched to breaking point under the Conservatives, and promises made under the coalition have been broken. Now people’s lives are at stake.

The Lib Dems believe that every progressive, future-facing country should prioritise the mental health of its people.

If you share this vision, support us today:



Our ambitious new plan for refugees

I passionately believe that the British people are open, tolerant and progressive. That’s what I love about us. But lately I’ve felt the country slide into a Britain I don’t recognise – a Britain that’s closed, insular and suspicious.

The Conservatives are largely to blame.

Their treatment of refugees – especially child refugees – is despicable and shameful. Faced with the biggest global trauma since the Second World War, Theresa May has torn up her promises and turned her back on the most vulnerable people in the world.

How will future Britons judge us?

The Liberal Democrats believe that as an advanced liberal democracy we must have compassion for those in need. The world looks to Britain as a leader in global business and a guardian of progressive values. We are proud of that.

That’s why, while visiting a refugee charity in Cheltenham today, I announced our plan to fly in the face of Theresa May’s callousness: we will take 10,000 refugees from Syria every year in the next parliament, and help find homes for asylum seeking children stranded in Europe.

This will ease some of the suffering caused by Conservative cold-bloodedness – going some way to redress the injustice of Theresa May’s repeated U-turns and broken promises on refugees. It’s the decent thing to do. It’s the right thing to do. And it’s the patriotic thing to do.

We want Britain to be an open-hearted and forward-looking world leader, not a provincial and miserly island on the fringes of Europe.

If you share this vision, support our refugee plan and vote Lib Dem on 8th June.



Leaked manifesto reveals Labour won’t give people final say on Brexit deal

The leaked version of the Labour manifesto has confirmed Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour won’t give the people the final say on the Brexit deal.

This comes after Jeremy Corbyn made clear that Labour believes Britain must leave the EU whatever the agreement reached, in an interview with BBC Look North yesterday.

Former Liberal Democrat party president Simon Hughes said: “Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour has waved the white flag and given Theresa May a blank cheque to pursue a divisive Brexit.

“Now this leaked manifesto confirms they are refusing to give the British people the final say over the Brexit deal, no matter how bad it is.

“A better future is available. The Liberal Democrats will stand up to Theresa May’s cold, mean-spirited Britain and against a bad Brexit deal that will cost jobs and put up prices.

“We will give you the final say on Brexit – with the option to stay in if you don’t like the deal on offer.”