May 15, 2008

The first Maltese-Canadian co-production ‘A Previous Engagement’ was premiered last Friday in North America and has received reviews which refer not only to the actors, story or film-makers but with also specific references to the cinematic beauty of Malta.

John Anderson of “Variety” claims “Production values are terrific” and “The Maltese landscapes are almost too pretty, at least for a movie with such a heart of darkness”. Andre Sarris of “The New York Observer” refers to the “picturesque Mediterranean island of Malta”.

Debbie Lynn Elias of the Los Angeles trade “Culver City Observer” talks about the cinematography by Bruce Worrall saying “Through his lighting and lensing, Malta is even more beautiful on film than in coffee table picture books and picture postcards. It is this striking elegance and beauty that gives the film an Edensque feel leading one to wonder how one could not fall in love and then want to wait 25 years to see if the emotion is real or just the magic of the country. I could watch the "travelogue" footage and seascapes over and over again on a continuous loop and never tire of it.”

The film stars Juliet Stevenson, Daniel Stern, Tcheky Karyo and Valerie Mahaffy. “A Previous Engagement”, directed by Joan Carr-Wiggin and produced by David Gordian, is a story about a middle-aged woman on a vacation in Malta with her husband. She is also in Malta keeping her vow with her former lover for a rendez-vous planned 25 years earlier. Surprisingly after so many years the lover shows up and her marriage is about to end when her husband reacts unexpectedly by hitting the Maltese club scene.

The “Variety” review says the film “nicely balances unutterable truths about marriage and love with the comedy that is human interaction and the unending drama that is man and women, repulsion and attraction. Stevenson is simply a magnet, of course, as usual.”

Such rare films that portray Malta as itself have a tremendous impact on the island’s publicity abroad, especially when film critics start to feature the island in their writings.

The release of the film in Malta will be announced by the Producers’ Creative Partnership (PCP) in due course.
 

An indecent proposal in Malta

Oscar-winning director for Malta-shot film

by Cynthia Busuttil

The Sunday Times of Malta - February 3, 2008

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.