NEWS | Wednesday, 06 February 2008

One of the largest-ever European co-productions to be filmed in Malta

The latest film by young Oscar-winning director Alejandro Ameánbar, which until now has the working title of “MOT”, is to be shot almost entirely in Malta, with Fort Ricasoli serving as the main location.
Minister for Industry, Investments and IT Austin Gatt on Saturday visited the works on the set of one of the largest ever European co-productions to be shot in Malta.
Accompanied by film line producer José Luis Escolar, Gatt had the chance to see the works which are currently happening at Fort Ricasoli on the €50 million production.
During his visit to the largest set ever built in Malta, Gatt was briefed about the fact that to date there where over 69 Maltese carpenters, 116 Maltese plasterers and another array of tradesmen who are doing their work on the site.
The shooting on the first film ever to be shot almost entirely in Malta, is expected to start in March and will last 12 weeks. The production has been in prep since last October and will wrap up in July this year.
The 35 year old Spaniard won the 2005 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for ‘The Sea Inside’. This is his second English-language film following ‘The Others’ (2001).
Gatt said that Malta was chosen for the locations it offered, with the unique selling point being Fort Ricasoli, where a large set was being constructed. The look of the extras available in Malta was also an important factor.
The extended financial assistance granted by the government was instrumental in bringing the production to the island, in addition to the existing financial incentives on offer, he said.
Gatt added that this production was expected to have a major impact on Malta, and especially on its film-servicing sector. “Contrary to most other productions, many Maltese are being employed in roles and crew positions that are usually taken up by non-Maltese. This is allowing local industry crew members and workers to gain unprecedented experience on a top-quality production, and is expected to have a major positive impact on the island’s ability to host and service future productions,” he said.
On an international level, the fact that the entire film is to be shot in Malta will be excellent publicity for the island both within the film industry as well as further afield.