A young local woman is certainly making a name for herself in the film and television industry.

Since gaining a Masters Degree in Film Studies, Joann Randles, daughter of Peter and Lyndy Randles, of Saundersfoot, has been involved in many screen productions for a number of different companies.

However, this week saw probably her greatest accomplishment yet - the premiere of a fascinating feature length documentary - ‘You May Be Pretty, But I Am Beautiful: The Adrian Street Story’.

Now aged 30, director Joann took on the ambitious project over two years ago, as she was determined to make a production that was of significance, to find a real story that was untold but unique. She wanted to find a story that would not only resonate with audiences, but would also be compelling and thoroughly entertaining.

And she has certainly achieved that with his new production - “a production that was entirely self-funded, no government funds or arts funding, just my own freelance earnings and family support,”revealed Joann, who has worked as a professional freelance filmmaker and photographer for over 10 years.

Adrian Street (wrestling name known as ‘Exotic’ Adrian Street) was born into a coal mining family in the Welsh valleys, Brynmawr, and was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps.

However, a bit like a real life Billy Elliot story, Adrian ran away from home to London at the age of 16 to pursue his dreams of becoming a wrestler. Against all the odds, Adrian went on to become an international wrestling sensation and it is documented that he inspired Elton John and Marc Bolan with his glam rock image.

He featured on the original ITV World of Sport between the 1970s to early ’80s before moving to America to take on the wrestling giants stateside. Furthermore, he was a pioneer in the wrestling industry, inspiring WWE as we know it today.

Before any other wrestler, Adrian wrote his own entrance music and released an album which has recently been re-released; back in the day one of the music videos was featured on MTV.

Adrian also designed and made his own costumes that were so flamboyant other wrestlers would come to him for theirs to be made; he also made the costumes for the film ‘The Wrestler’.

There is a lot to Adrian’s story, but it his controversial character as a wrestler that set him apart from everyone else. In a 1960s conservative Britain, Adrian developed a flamboyant character, where he would skip and dance around the ring and kiss other opponents. But really he was as tough as nails. This character evolved considerably throughout his career and it is what he is known for.

Now in his late 70s, Adrian has moved back to Wales. It was therefore decided to hold this week’s premiere of the documentary at the oldest cinema in Wales, The Market Hall Cinema in Brymawr, of which Michael Sheen is a patron, and where Adrian also worked as a child.

So the story has gone full circle as it were... and what makes this collaboration between Joann and Adrian Street so special, is that they both share the same common goal, that anything can be achieved in life, if you put your mind to it and are prepared to give it your all. Dream big!

Footnote: Recently, Joann was a finalist at the Wales Media Awards 2019 and is currently a finalist for a Chwarae Teg, Womenspire Award, in the ‘Creative and Media’ category 2019.