A RHYL FILM director has unveiled a tale of myth, magic and madness.
Michael ‘Mac’ McMahon, 34 from Rhyl, has written, directed and helped produce a short film called Hawk which is set in the hills of Snowdonia.
Mr McMahon, who went to Rhyl High, described the film as a brooding glimpse into a time when the old Welsh myths were still alive in the imagination of the people, and gods still stalked the land.
He said: “I always dreamt of making a film that utilizes the epic, scale and beauty of the Welsh hills - a film that celebrates the landscape and moulds it into a wild and lonely place ideal for a fantasy film founded on ancient legend.”
The film charts the story of Rowan, a young boy who lives with his grandfather in the mountains. When his grandfather dies, he is cut off from the outside world and forms a relationship with a hunting hawk.
Mr MacMahon said: “Hawk is a visually powerful story set in a timeless past in the deep of Welsh countryside. The themes of faith, religion and heroism all have a strong influence on young Rowan’s story. Through him we enter a unique world and are taken on an extraordinary journey from guilt to redemption, from child to man.”
The cast is joined by another Rhyl man, Barry “Crocker” Jones, whose foray into acting is a real-life redemptive story.
Mr Jones said: “Having spent the primary years of my life performing in school plays and pantos, my life took an unfortunate downward slide after the age of 16. From that age onwards, I spent time as a regular resident at her Majesties pleasure, but at 43 years of age, I saw a somewhat unusual poster on the jail notice board.”
The notice was recruiting actors for a prison production of Tartuffe, a comedy by Molière, a chance Mr Jones leapt at.
He has since made 14 successful performances, and after being released, he met Mr MacMahon and was cast in the role of The Antlered God in Hawk.
Hawk has its Welsh Premiere at the new Glyndwr University / BBC Media Centre in Wrexham on March 31.