Andrew Coleman, who soldiered in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and the like, calls on former war buddies to help him track down those whom he believes are responsible for the drug-related death of his daughter. Coleman, played by Tip Cullen, wants to kill them all. His buddies are ready to help him kill them all but express their concerns that their buddy is exhibiting the debilitating signs of someone who’s been in too many gun fights, feeling guilt and shame for horrible things he did in his warring days like kill kids and innocent people and is now paying the price: Acting self-destructively and on a suicide mission and that perhaps he needs to re-think his mission even though they are more than ready to help him
{Sunray is a term used in British military radio voice procedure (the conventions used in radio conversation) i It refers to the formation or unit commander and serves as a synonym of leader. This could be a commander of a platoon, company, combat group or battalion.}
SUNRAY: FALLEN SOLDIER – juggling multiple themes, sub-themes, plot twists and twists & turns, flipping and flopping – swaggers and shimmies like the mother of all revenge movies on steroids. With so much going on, there are are filmmaking snags but not serious enough to flag this movie as a not-see – au contraire, it’s definitely must-see; and each time seen enhances the entertainment enjoyment.
SUNRAY: FALLEN SOLDIER is now in play: In cinemas and on digital platforms.
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Directed by: James Clarke & Daniel Shepherd
Written by: Daniel Shepherd, James Clarke & Sammy Seeley
Cast: Tip Cullen plays Andy (Echo 1); Daniel Davids plays Cassius; Tom Leigh plays Smudge, Echo 2; Steven Blades plays Harper Echo4; Luke Solomon plays Sledge (Echo 3), Saskia Rose plays Rachel; Doireann May White plays Ava. For remaining members of cast, click here.
Distributor: Vertigo Releasing
Review, Directors Comments
This reviewer can’t get over filmmakers’ five-star cinematography and verisimilitude resulting in an incredible fly-on-the-wall visceral experience for audiences. It compensates for what this reviewer believes are the minor cinematic snags and fumbles by first-time filmmakers, such as a little too much gratuitous banter and military argot. The father-son, father-daughter and family sub-themes are a little over the top though they do resonate. And so on. Nevertheless, the 115-minute SUNRAY: FALLEN SOLDIER sweeps us into the screen, and the fly-on-the-wall experience is smoking from beginning to end.
Let’s not forget plot twists, double-crosses, PTSD. No sentimentality or whining. They say it like it is.
DIRECTORS’ COMMENT; SUNRAY: FALLEN SHOULDER has been an extraordinary and transformative endeavor. As our inaugural feature film, undertaken without the formal training of a film school, we plunged headfirst into uncharted waters armed only with a concept and determination to craft something exceptional. The support for the project has been truly overwhelming, and we owe its realization to the unwavering belief of our supporters and the invaluable contributions of everyone involved.
Within the Armed Forces lies a wealth of exceptional talent and creativity, fortified by the resilience and values instilled by military service. When this combination converges, it creates an unstoppable creative force. Sunray is ultimately about a veteran harnessing his experiences as a superpower, and the creative process of the film serves as a poignant extension of this, showcasing the therapeutic power of the arts. It has been both an honor and a humbling experience to shed light on mental health through the action-packed narrative of SUNRAY: FALLEN SOLDIER.
DANIEL SHEPHERD (WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER): Dan joined the Royal Marines Commandos at the age of 18, and he served for nine years. During that time, he developed a passion for documenting the lives of military personnel through photography and videography. His experiences, ranging from the battlegrounds of Afghanistan to various global military exercises, honed his skills in capturing the essence of human emotion and the realities of conflict.
After his time in the Marines, Dan transitioned to the role of military filmmaker, creating films for the UK Armed Forces. It was at this time that he decided to look towards civilian filmmaking to broaden his experience and tell new stories.
Dan leveraged his unique perspective and skill set to focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth. His journey from the front lines to filmmaking is marked by a commitment to storytelling that reflects the complexities and nuances of military life.
As a director and cinematographer, Dan brings his firsthand experiences into his work, aiming to produce films that entertain, challenge, and engage audiences. Although fictional, the story of Sunray is set against a backdrop of military life, made to feel authentic thanks to the team’s shared experiences. Bringing the unspoken aspects of military life to the screen. Through “Sunray,” Dan hopes to bridge the gap between the experiences of those in uniform and the audience, inviting viewers into a world shaped by the resilience and challenges of its characters.
DIRECTORS’ COMMENT: “Working on SUNRAY: FALLEN SOLDERINGb-has been an eye-opening experience. As my first foray into the world of feature filmmaking, it turned out to be a gargantuan task. One that could only be accomplished through being surrounded by exceptional people with a huge passion for the craft. Having the opportunity to work with so many accomplished veterans in the arts has been a humbling experience, and the community that developed through this project felt, at times, similar to the camaraderie we felt in the forces. I truly believe in therapy through creativity, and there’s a restorative power
Publisher, Editor, Reviewer, Gregg W. Morris