A NEW film set on the sheep farms of Australia will have a special attraction for farming families – although many in Wales may find some sections difficult watching.

It's not often that farming communities get to see their way of life portrayed on the big screen so from that point of view Rams, set in remote western Australia, has a lot going for it, including big name actors such as Colin (Sam Neill, Jurassic Park), Les (Michael Caton, The Castle) and Miranda Richardson (The Crying Game).

Raising separate flocks descended from their family’s prized bloodline of Dorset horn sheep, the two men work side by side ­– yet are worlds apart.

There is much to be recognised and enjoyed here from rural life probably anywhere in the world – the brothers' feud (and that dates back as far as Cain and Abel); the fierce competition at the annual agricultural show; the stoic humour of people living a hard and unforgiving life. Not to mention the local rivalries with the despised merino sheep farmers.

When Les’s prize ram is diagnosed with the rare and lethal Ovine Johne's disease (OJD), authorities order a purge of every sheep in the valley.

Described as a comedy drama, this particular section is pretty harrowing, particularly in an area suffering from wholesale culls due to bovine TB.

While Colin attempts to stealthily outwit the powers that be, Les opts for angry defiance. But can the warring brothers set aside their differences and have a chance to reunite their family, save their herd, and bring their community back together?

Inspired by the 2015 Icelandic film Hrútar, but very much its own piece, Rams was directed by Jeremy Sims (Last Cab to Darwin) and also stars plus Asher Keddie (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Wayne Blair (The Sapphires).

The film is released direct to digital platforms.