Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara is slowly
being transformed into ancient Egypt as
preparations are in full swing for a
film by Oscar-winning director Alejandro
Amenbar.
Columns, decorated with hieroglyphics
and topped with faces of ancient
Egyptians, head covered in a blue and
gold head-dress, are quickly taking
shape.

Work in progress on the
new film at Ricasoli.
A statue of what looks like an
Egyptian pharaoh lies on the ground at
the 17th century fort, which is buzzing
with activity.
During a visit by Investments
Minister Austin Gatt on set yesterday
morning, details on the film were
sparse. Spanish line producer Jos Louis
Escolar said the film, with a budget of
€50 million (Lm21,465m), had not yet
been announced, and details would be
given during an official launch at a
later date.
He said the film did not even have a
name yet, and currently has the working
title of 'MOT', although designs in the
fort's workshops had 'Mists of Time'
written on them.
Mr Escolar was also tight-lipped when
asked who was starring in the film,
saying only that it was being directed
by Mr Amenbar, whom he described as "one
of the most talented directors in Europe
today".
The 35-year-old Spanish director won
an Oscar for best foreign language film
for the classic The Sea Inside. He also
directed the
2001 film The Others, starring Nicole
Kidman, and this will be his second
English-language film.
According to a number of websites, a
film about King Tutankhamen was expected
to be filmed in Malta. But the film
about the young Egyptian pharaoh is
directed by someone else.
Yet, the props being readied for the
Malta film clearly indicate an Egyptian
influence. And, with a smile, Mr Escolar
- who has worked on a number of renowned
films, including Kingdom of Heaven, said
the set was environmentally friendly
since wood and plaster were being used
for the props.
Parts of the fort are also being
incorporated in the film, with a
primitive church being constructed in
part of it.
Apart from Fort Ricasoli, filming
will also take place on location in
Mdina, Valletta and Marsaxlokk.
The film, which is estimated to
require 76 shooting days, is expected to
inject at least €21 million (Lm9
million) into the economy.
Almost 400 Maltese people have
already been employed, the majority of
them plasterers and carpenters, and by
the end of shooting some 700 locals
would have been employed with the
production crew.
This is the first film to be shot in
Malta following new incentives
introduced by the Government for the
film industry last December.