Experiencing Interruptions?

We Chosen Few

A young Methodist missionary journeys into rural North Wales to proselytise a church on a mountain, as he seeks to prove himself in the eyes of God.

  • Ryan Proudlove
    Director
  • Ryan Proudlove
    Writer
  • Ryan Proudlove
    Producer
  • Michael Gillette
    Key Cast
    "Joseph"
  • Julian Lewis Jones
    Key Cast
    "Reverend Evans"
    Invictus, House of the Dragon, Justice League, The Feast
  • Lowri Cêt
    Key Cast
    "Elinor"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 57 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 28, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    2,200 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English, Welsh
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.4:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Bangor University
Director Biography - Ryan Proudlove

Hello, my name is Ryan, I am 26 years old, and I am from the village of Haslington near Crewe in Cheshire (England). I currently live in North Staffordshire and I work as a Digital Forensic Media Investigator and have been in this role since 2023.

In 2019, I completed my BA (Hons) in Film Studies with Theatre and Performance at Bangor University for which I achieved a 1:1. I was also awarded the Best Practical Dissertation for my study of Multimedia Theatre.

This led on to me completing a postgraduate degree in 2021, MA Filmmaking: Concept to Screen at Bangor University, which is where this project came from. The film was submitted as a work in progress as part of my master's Thesis which was awarded with the grade of Distinction. I have spent the last five years since filming the project during the Covid Pandemic in September 2020 working in various jobs to save money for parts for my computer (to edit the film), working on getting the film completed, battling with self-doubt, general life, a mental health episode and what I now know relates to my recent diagnosis of ADHD.

However, after the period of severe anxiety from a health scare, I was determined to get the film completed. And I set myself a deadline of February the 27th 2025, for the film to be completed. And here we are!

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Director Statement

We Chosen Few started with a sporadic walk into the mountains where I stumbled across a lonely ancient church, with no electricity, no running water, no gas. A solitary church nestled in the mountains, harmonising with nature.

As soon as I walked into the church my first thought was that a film needed to be made here. There was a presence and an aura about the space. It felt as though it was the perfect location to create a film. And so began the process of creating the film ‘We Chosen Few’.

The idea came from reflections on my life at the time living in Wales, pursuing a postgraduate Filmmaking MA degree at Bangor University. I wanted to reflect on how my personal identity, coming from rural Cheshire in England, had merged with a Welsh identity living in North Wales. At the time I was learning to speak Welsh and was really getting to learn the culture and sense of belonging of the nation that I had lived in for the past few years.


The film contemplates on identity self growth and the notion of duality. It Is a film about my own identity as well as that of a national identity. The film also focuses on a fear of failure and the idea of youthful enthusiasm. It also explores the differences in Welsh and English culture, as well as exploring the themes of youth vs experience and the forces of nature.


I also tried to explore the subject of migration (rural to urban) and examine the occurrence of a cultural ‘brain drain’. Looking at the way in which the younger population were moving away from rural areas and a traditional way of life during the Industrial Revolution and moving to the bigger towns and cities. Mirroring a situation which still goes on today, especially in North Wales.

I was honoured to work with a brilliant small local crew, filming the entire film during the Covid Pandemic. Adhering to strict policies and guidelines as well as mitigating all risks on set with thorough planning and procedure. I had the privilege of collaborating with promising young actors, Michael Gillette and Lowri Cêt, alongside the esteemed Hollywood veteran Julian Lewis Jones, of House of The Dragon (2022), Invictus (2009) and Justice League (2017) fame.