A Welsh actor has said there was "a very real chance" he would not see his latest film finished after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour following filming. Craig Russell, who grew up in Cwmtwrch in the Swansea Valley, said in hindsight he realised he experienced symptoms of the tumour while the thriller, Protein, was in production. "A couple of weird things happened, I was walking into stuff, I was getting lost in our own house," he recalled. The film, which tells the story of a gym-obsessed serial killer who murders and eats a local drug dealer for their protein, inadvertently sparking a turf-war between rival drugs gangs, was shot in south and west Wales following Russell's suggestion. He told writer and director Tony Burke there was "nowhere like Wales" for talent, "both in front of and behind the camera, scenery, everything you might need". "He took my advice and luckily it paid off," he said speaking to Lucy Owen on BBC Radio Wales. "As he says himself now, 'Wales is the most important character in the movie'." Russell admits "self-preservation" led him to downplaying the initial symptoms of his tumour. "The back of my head started really hurting," he said. "I hadn't even realised I was losing the sight of my left eye, the hearing in my left ear." His wife Kate persuaded him to go to see a GP, and an MRI scan revealed a brain tumour that had been growing for about 15 years. Three days later, Russell had a seven-hour surgery to remove it and was told he "might not survive". The back of his skull was taken away and then rebuilt after surgeons removed the tumour. "The NHS are brilliant, aren't they? They saved my life," he said. Russell is an ambassador for Brain Tumour Research to help raise awareness. The actor said he did not mind playing a cannibal in Protein, but admitted some scenes could be difficult to watch. "I drink a lot of what appear to be protein shakes in the movie. But for the viewer it looks like I'm drinking these flesh drinks," he said. "I remember finishing one take, looking across and two members of the crew had their backs to me and were retching over a bucket which was quite amusing. But actually it was just watermelon, porridge, almond milk, it was delicious, I really enjoyed it." He continued: "I ate raw beef. I would fry a steak and eat that. So it looks horrible because the audience thinks I'm eating a bloke, but for me it was fine. I did really enjoy the cannibal stuff." Protein is being shown at selected cinemas across Wales first, before being rolled out across the UK next week.
Actor 'lucky' to see his new film after brain tumour
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Welsh Actor Craig Russell Reflects on Health Scare After Brain Tumour Diagnosis"
Bbc News
8.2
TruthLens AI Summary
Craig Russell, a Welsh actor, recently expressed his gratitude for being able to see his latest film, Protein, completed after facing a serious health scare due to a brain tumour diagnosis. The actor, who hails from Cwmtwrch in the Swansea Valley, reflected on the odd symptoms he experienced during the production of the thriller. Russell recounted instances of disorientation, such as walking into objects and getting lost in familiar spaces, which he later recognized were signs of his illness. Protein, which centers around a gym-obsessed serial killer who kills and consumes a local drug dealer, was filmed in various locations across south and west Wales, a decision influenced by Russell's belief in the region's rich talent pool and scenic beauty. He emphasized the integral role Wales plays in the film, stating, 'Wales is the most important character in the movie.'
The severity of Russell's condition became apparent when he began experiencing significant pain and vision issues. After encouragement from his wife, he sought medical attention, leading to an MRI that uncovered a tumour that had been developing for approximately 15 years. Following a seven-hour surgery to remove the tumour, Russell was informed that his survival was uncertain. He praised the NHS for their exceptional care during this critical time, stating, 'They saved my life.' In addition to his acting role in Protein, Russell has taken on the position of ambassador for Brain Tumour Research to raise awareness about the disease. Despite the film's gruesome subject matter, which includes scenes of cannibalism, Russell found enjoyment in the process, humorously recalling the reactions of crew members during filming. Protein is set to be showcased in select cinemas across Wales before its wider release throughout the UK next week.
TruthLens AI Analysis
You need to be a member to generate the AI analysis for this article.
Log In to Generate AnalysisNot a member yet? Register for free.