UK, 1 hr 40 mins, Directed by Tony Burke

A gym-obsessed serial killer murders and eats a local drug dealer (for their protein), inadvertently sparking a brutal and bloodthirsty turf war between rival gangs.

Dw i ddim yn hoffi cig, ond roeddwn i’n caru Protein 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

If you don’t speak Welsh, or aren’t learning on Duolingo like me, that means “I don’t like meat, but I loved Protein”. Ex-soldier Sion escapes to South Wales and inadvertently finds himself in the middle of a turf war between drug dealers. And he eats people. Lush. I hesitate to refer to this film as cosy, ‘cos cannibalism, but there’s something incredibly comforting about watching films and tv set in the valleys. The cast are excellent, with lots of familiar faces from Welsh and British film and TV.

Writer and director Tony Burke is English, (coincidentally from Southend, also the home of Horror on Sea) but has perfectly captured the valleys on film. As much as I’d love portrayals of Wales to be all about green valleys, lush waterfalls and male voice choirs, there ARE grotty towns, scummy people and drug problems. I live an hour away from Swansea and Llanelli, where Protein was filmed, and I have encountered many of these characters. It’s so real and grounded in reality, even during the scenes of cannibalism and gore. It’s not sensational, it’s not gratuitous, it’s a depiction that almost feels like you’re watching a documentary. The script is perfect – nothing feels hyperbolic, or a caricature of valleys people. I hear people speak like this every day. It’s probably how I sound, too. I especially relate to the mum in bed, shouting that she needs crisps. What a queen.

I was gutted to have missed this film at FrightFest last year, so was super excited and grateful when Tony got in touch to share the movie. It’s darkly funny, bleak and exciting and I loved every minute. Protein is based on the 2014 short of the same name, which I’ll have to track down and watch. This is Tony’s first feature as writer and director and I think it’s an incredible debut film. Da iawn, Tony! 

Protein is screening at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff on Sunday 16th February, at 3 pm.