KAMIKAZE: Get Ready For The First Welsh Action Film

Kamikaze. It could be the greatest thing to happen to action inclined entertainment in Wales since Eve Myles starred in Torchwood and a certain Welsh-born director made a name for himself when he began filming Indonesian people punch each other in the face!

Already, Kamikaze has the honor of being the first Welsh action film. Ever. Director and star Marcus Shakesheff has brought to the table all that he has learned from a lengthy career as a stuntman in Hollywood features. His resume is impressive. Red 2, Kick-Ass 2, Thor: The Dark World, World War Z, Game of Thrones, John Carter, Ra.One, Centurion. It goes on. Of course what remains to be seen is how well his experience has transferred onto his personal project.

Given his experience we presume he has learned how to capture fighting and action on camera. I am eager to see what approach he takes to framing it too. Has he brought the camera up close immersing the viewer in the action? Or has he held back and framed the action allowing it to speak for itself? And who has he surrounded himself with on the production side and in front of the camera? 

As you will soon read Kamikaze will not win any acclaim for story or plot, these are merely devices and bridges between the action sequences. Where Shakesheff will win or lose fans depends on how good the action is and how well he captures it on screen. With principal photography wrapping up soon it means that a trailer cannot be too far behind. We shall see if the Welsh have what it takes to make the action world take notice.

Beat'em Up Films, the South Wales-based production company, are pleased to announce that principal photography is almost complete on their first feature film, KAMIKAZE, Wales's first action film. Set around an ex-government agent who is hired to do a job that goes wrong, high-octane action, car stunts, fights and explosions. All set and filmed around south Wales, Newport, Cardiff, Chepstow and Monmouthshire.

Evan Reed (Marcus Shakesheff; Batman Arkham Asylum, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows) is an ex M.I.6 agent who has become a mercenary for hire. Evan is hired by Cabinet Minister David Markham to steal files containing incriminating evidence linking the MP with weapons contractors.  After the mission Markham loses his nerve and orders the kidnap of Evan's pregnant girlfriend Jess.  Evan is forced to fight his way through agents, thugs and a small mercenary army to rescue Jess. With the odds stacked against him and Markham's top assassin Gabe, (David Newton, The Dark Knight Rises, Captain America) hot on his trail, can Evan defeat him and rescue his girlfriend in time?

The film is produced by David Newton and David Ware, and is the debut feature of director Marcus Shakesheff, who has featured in a number of Hollywood Blockbusters.

Director/Star Marcus Shakesheff: "Having worked on big budget Hollywood action adventure films I was very aware that there has never been a welsh action film. With Kamikaze, we were very eager to bring the excitement and spectacle of Hollywood productions mixed with the martial arts action of the east  to South Wales. This is the first of it's kind and not the last". Marcus Shakesheff, star and director of Kamikaze,  is an action actor hailing from South Wales, with a long list of credits such as War World Z, Jack and the Giant Slayer, Game of Thrones, Les, Miserables, Snow White and the Huntsman, War Horse... Marcus also played the role of a vodka-drinking gymnast assassin alongside Robert Downy Jr in Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows". Marcus played Batman in the highly successful Warner Brothers video game Batman Arkham Asylum. Recently Marcus has appeared with Simon Pegg in his latest film Hector and the Search for Happiness and will next be appearing in the lead role in Ringsend alongside Martin Kemp filming later this year.

David Newton, producer, Hollywood stunt man and actor plays head henchman Gabe, a deadly assassin sent after Evan.  Some of David's credits include Rush, The Worlds End, World War Z, The Sweeney, The Dark Knight Rises, Captain America and Kick Ass 1&2. David has also just finished playing the lead character in the highly anticipated action game Ryse: Son of Rome.

Rounding out the cast is South Wales's very own Tae Kwon do specialist champion and YouTube phenomena Aaron Gassor AKA Ginger Ninja. Aaron appears in the film with some of his signature champion kicks.