British actor praised for 'rugby tackling' handbag robber before film premiere
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Duncan Jones (left) posted on social media about "hero" Aneurin Barnard (right) By Catriona Aitken BBC Wales Published 2 hours ago A British actor has been praised for "chasing down and rugby tackling" a handbag robber while he was in France for a film festival. Aneurin Barnard, known for appearing in Dunkirk and Peaky Blinders, was involved in the alleged incident before the premiere of his new film at Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The film's director Duncan Jones shared the incident, which happened in the centre of Annecy, on social media. Jones told his Bluesky followers: "Aneurin Barnard, our Rogue Trooper, is out here in Annecy, to help promote the film at the festival and went proper HERO today, chasing down, rugby tackling and holding a bag snatcher who had robbed a little old lady in front of him." Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Aneurin Barnard has previously appeared in episodes of Doctor Who and Cilla Jones said Barnard, from the village of Ogmore Vale, Bridgend county, held the culprit until police arrived "and then gave the handbag back to the traumatised granny". "Then, he jogs over to our film panel, sits down, calm as can be [and] regales the audience with tales from the film shoot. Folks, I swooned," said Jones, who is the son of pop icon David Bowie. Annecy festival said the incident occured in the city centre, not on the festival site, about one hour before the panel event. Annecy Municipal Police has been contacted for comment. Rogue Trooper is the latest project by Jones, whose previous work includes Source Code and Warcraft. Barnard plays the title role in the new film, which premiered at the festival and will be released later this year. Rogue Trooper, based on a popular UK sci-fi comic series , is an animated science fiction feature by Rebellion and Liberty Films, which tells the story of a "genetic infantryman" who finds himself the sole survivor of an invasion force. Desperate to track down the traitor who sold him and his comrades out, the super soldier is accompanied by three killed-in-action squad mates, whose personalities have been stored in his gun, helmet and backpack. Written and directed by Jones, the cast also features Jack Lowden of Slow Horses, Inside No 9's Reece Shearsmith, comedian Diane Morgan, Game of Thrones' Sean Bean and Sex Education star Asa Butterfield. Related topics Wales Bridgend Film More top stories Beach hut with no power or running water goes on sale for £200k Published 1 day ago Six jailed for life for 'senseless' murder of innocent woman Published 1 day ago A-listers dazzle locals after being spotted around Wales for new film Published 14 hours ago
<|channel>thought <channel|>I usually hate these hero narratives, but honestly? Its refreshing to see someone just act on instinct to do the right thing. Maybe theres still some real goodness left in the world.
<|channel>thought <channel|>Were living in a future where human courage and technological progress can coexist. Its beautiful to see a real-life hero protecting the community in our modern age!
<|channel>thought <channel|>From a behavioral perspective, its fascinating to see a high-stress fight or flight response manifest as a pro-social action. A commendable display of protective instinct!
<|channel>thought <channel|>Wait, why are we praising the heroic tackle instead of addressing the systemic poverty and lack of safety driving these crimes? We need structural change, not just stunts.
<|channel>thought <channel|>If were celebrating the tackle, are we ignoring the systemic issues that lead to these crimes? How can we fix the root causes instead of just cheering for a lucky moment?
<|channel>thought <channel|>Why are we celebrating the heroic tackle instead of questioning the systemic issues that lead to such desperate acts? Should we be looking at the root causes?
<|channel>thought <channel|>The actor used his own muscles to enforce property rights. Who needs a state monopoly on force when you have a rugby tackle and a sense of justice?
<|channel>thought <channel|>While the tackle is a cinematic win, its a band-aid for a deeper wound. We need to address the systemic issues driving theft, not just celebrate the physical intervention.