Protein is a hard-hitting shocker which mixes horror with social commentary without losing sight of its main purpose, and that is to entertain. We chatted to its star, Craig Russell about this engrossing movie ahead of its premiere at FrightFest 2024.
NYX: Did you know from a young age that you wanted to work in the film industry?
CR: No not really. I did my first play when I was 16 and then decided for certain to enter the industry when I was 18. After a few years as a jobbing actor I realised that I wanted more of a say in the work that I did so I began to surround myself with likeminded industry professionals, who predominantly worked or wanted to work in tv and film. That soon developed into writing and producing short films and web content and it went from there.
NYX: Where did you get your big break?
CR: There wasn’t really one particular moment. I made a comedy web series that attracted a lot interest which gave me the confidence I needed in the industry. I then started getting lead roles in critically acclaimed indie movies which brought me to the attention of more directors and from there I started getting more high profile television work.
NYX: Protein is based on a short from 2014, was it difficult expanding on that original idea?
CR: Tony Burke is an incredibly talented writer and whilst it wasn’t easy for him he seemed to get his head around it fairly quickly. The game changer I think was when he grew the world around Sion, specifically regarding the detectives and the gang, writing those interesting characters all with their own storylines. I think he’s a genius.
NYX: Was Tony (Burke) nervous as this is his directorial debut?
CR: Yes he was and I don’t think he’ll mind me saying that. He’s a very experienced creative in that he’s worked in advertising for years, he’s written music, children’s books, directed numerous short films and music videos but of course a full length feature film is a different beast all together. But he did the prep and he knew what he wanted and whilst it wasn’t easy for him he really excelled and it was exciting to see.
NYX: How did you prepare for such a physically and mentally demanding role?
CR: Sion is a homeless ex soldier with PTSD, I however am a relatively happy go lucky guy who likes to eat 4 meals a day! I set about altering my body shape to suit the character and through fasting and training twice daily I dropped two and a half stone in three months. I also read everything I could find and watched every documentary I could on PTSD, serial killers and cannibalism. I also spoke at with length with a friend who’s a long serving, high ranking army officer about the daily life of a solider in a war zone and the effects it has on them. Another friend of mine has PTSD and he very kindly shared some of his more extreme experiences and speaking with both of those people gave me more than enough insight into the character. The key then was to take all of that and make Sion likeable!
NYX: The film mixes true-life horror and social commentary, and is at times very raw, what was the atmosphere like on set?
CR: Ah the atmosphere was brilliant. We were surrounded by the most wonderful cast and crew, great at their jobs and also great company so the laughs always came thick and fast which is essential on a job like Protein! A lot of the cast have been close friends of mine for thirty years or more so seeing them every day, especially as we’d been in and out of lockdown at that point, was just magic for the soul.
NYX: Was it all shot on location?
CR: We spent a fortnight at Bay Studios in Swansea which was brilliant and the rest was shot on location around Llanelli and Ammanford in the Upper Swansea Valley.
NYX: Steve Meo’s character of Kevin (initially) adds an element of humour to the movie, this helps the movie becoming too dark, would you agree?
CR: The comedy element in Protein is vital. The dark stuff is SO dark that the audience need a moment to catch their breath and what better way to do that than to laugh hard. Steven Meo, Kai Owen, Richard Elis, Gareth Bale and Ross O’Hennessy are all gifted comedy actors so every time we cut back to them there is a very real chance they will make you laugh out loud and without that it would be a struggle for the audience. I LOVE the comedy that Steve and the guys bring to the film!
NYX: Though taken to an extreme, this is a very human story, would you agree?
CR: Yes I would and that’s such an important element and another nod to the writing skills of Tony. Aside from the fact that this stuff actually goes on in real life, we get to see the people behind it. Every major character has a storyline and a purpose and we can all identify with what many of them go through.
NYX: There are some incredible special effects in the movie, did they phase anyone?
CR: I think some people struggled watching me drink the human flesh shakes! Some of the scenes in which the bodies were dismembered were also tricky because we did at times use real offal which alongside its appearance comes with a certain aroma..!
NYX: The movie was hindered by Covid and an almost fatal health scare, could you tell us more?
CR: We went into preproduction twice only to be halted because of the lockdowns twice and on top that we lost our funding twice so had to go back to the drawing board twice! Thankfully during the shoot, with daily covid testing we didn’t get a single case of it. That would’ve been a tough hurdle to overcome. Then during post production I had a large brain tumour removed during an emergency operation in which I could’ve died so that was a bit of extra fun we weren’t banking on! Judging by the tumours size they estimated it had been growing there for 15 years, slowly shutting me down so I’m just grateful it didn’t shut the shoot down!
NYX: Will you be nervous when Protein has its World Premiere at FrightFest 2024?
CR: I don’t think so. After all we’ve been through to get it there, sharing it with the world will be easy!
NYX: There’s been a steady stream of horror movies from Wales over the last few years, is the film industry in a good place?
CR: It’s improving all the time, especially in the Welsh language side of the industry which is so exciting to see.
Back in 2017 my first movie as producer premiered at Fright Fest. Peter Stray’s Canaries is a sci fi comedy horror set and shot in Wales. As a genre, horror is definitely growing in the Welsh industry and that’s I think down to the fact that Wales is not only full of amazing talent but it’s also a great place to shoot. Scopophobia also premieres at Fight Fest this year and that’s fantastic for Wales and Welsh film makers.
NYX: So, what are you working on at the moment?
CR: I’m currently on the set of Welsh film maker Marc Price’s next movie The Arbiter, in which I play the Arbiter. (Marc of course is no stranger to Fright Fest having screened his first film there, zombie movie Colin back in 2008). We’re having great fun, every day is full of violence, blood, explosions and laughing, lots of laughing.
NYX: Craig Russell, thank you very much.
CR: Thanks James, and thanks again for the support, it really does mean a lot.
