Rebecca Cremona, 26, film director and scriptwriter, has packed a lot into life so far. She studied comparative film and literature at the University of Warwick in the UK and went on to do her second degree in film directing at the American Film Institute and Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. A short film she completed in early 2009, ‘Magdalene’ (trailer above), won her a Student EMMY and a Director’s Guild of America student award.

Rebecca is back on the Islands to tackle some contentious, contemporary issues in a Malta she feels is still finding its way post colonialism. Her project will be Malta’s first, home-grown, full-length feature film for the international market. Here, Rebecca lets us into her world, which she says is not all tinsel but more hard graft and determination. Here’s her story, ‘uncut’, in her own words.

1. When did you realise that film for you was more about doing than watching?
Whenever I am asked this question I remember a girls’ night when I was 16. We were watching ‘The Insider’ and the girls were chatting, nibbling away on snacks, and swooning over Russell Crowe. I was far more boring, and simply sat in front of the TV watching the film intently. One of the girls asked me what was capturing my attention. I told her it was the reflection on the car and how precisely it interacted with the camera and actor movement.

She looked at me stunned, called me a freak (rightly so), and still makes fun of me till this day. I think it’s safe to say that although at the time I knew I was into film – all my pocket money went on film magazines, video rentals and cinema tickets – it was at that point that I realised my interest was more than just a hobby. In fact, it is very rare for me to get engrossed in the story of a film. I am more likely to analyse its building blocks – the performance, editing, cinematography etc. Also, ‘makings of’ and interviews with filmmakers were always a very important aspect of a film for me – some times more interesting than the film itself!

2. What draws you to the medium?
What I love about film is that it’s a combination of art forms: literature, photography, music, acting, painting, philosophy…the list is endless. Through a film you create a little universe in more ways than one. First and foremost you are creating a universe on the screen, but even the work environment of every film is a unique universe within itself. Every film is a different experience you plunge into – from the subject matter you’re dealing with to the cast and crew who you are surrounded by.

I also love the fact that films – the mainstream ones at least – are watched all over the world. I remember going to the Galapagos where ‘Armageddon’ saved me from lack of conversation, because it was the only tangible thing in common I shared with a local. I suppose what I am saying is that it is film’s diversity which draws me to it. Of course the diversity also means that it is not the most stable of mediums to work within, however it is worth the risk in my opinion.

3. What films are special to you.
I always find it difficult to make a short list because there are so many different reasons to love a film. But I’ll try…
Y tu mama tambien – for me this film is entertaining, intelligent and very well done.
‘Monsoon Wedding’ – no matter how often I watch it, it moves me.
‘Spirit of the Beehive’ – I’ve never seen anything quite like the haunting atmosphere it manages to create.
‘In the mood for love’ – just an incredibly beautiful film.
‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’ – a story which gives you insight into what it is to be a human being, for better and for worse.
‘Thelma and Louise’ – a genre film which defies genre, very clever.
Then there are films which on a rational level I do not think are all that great, but for some reason they resonate with me. Examples of this would be ‘Stealing Beauty’ and ‘Great Expectations’ (Cuaron’s version).

As a general rule it is fair to say that I gravitate more towards art house and independent films, however, I still watch, and for the most part enjoy, mainstream cinema. I found ‘The Hangover’ hilarious, for instance.

4. Tell us about your first big break
Making a film is creatively, logistically and financially difficult. Because of this, every film you make which allows you to step up one ring of the ladder is a big break. Your first film is important because it will always remain your first film. The film that gets you into film school is important because it is likely to be taken as a foundation piece. The film that gets you into your first film festival will introduce you to the joys and torments of your primary bloodline – your audience. The film that gets you your first award is likely to spearhead your identity as a filmmaker. Then of course there are films which are more important to you personally than they are to anyone else and vice versa. I feel the need to go on this little tangent because becoming a filmmaker is a long process, and it is important to appreciate the importance of each step otherwise it is easy to give up or take short cuts which might do more harm than good.

If I were to answer your question directly I would say ‘Magdalene’ (see trailer above). Magdalene is a short film which I completed in the beginning of 2009. I consider it to be the ‘big break’ because it got me some prestigious awards, including a Student EMMY and a Director’s Guild of America student award. Just as important, it was picked up for distribution, so it will have a shelf life of seven years across different platforms (TV, iTunes, cinema etc) worldwide.

Rebecca Cremona and crew on the set of Magdalene

5. What was Los Angeles like – Tinseltown or a Tough town or both?
Definitely both. The good thing in L.A is that everyone is in the filmmaking business – from the waiter who brings you your coffee, to the big shot exec in the jaguar stopped by your side at a red light. Because you are surrounded by the industry at all times, and the turn around of work is so frequent, it feels like making films is a very normal thing to do, and indeed making them is easier due to the availability of resources.

The bad thing there is the same as the good one – that everyone is in the filmmaking business! Sometimes this makes you feel like you’re one in a sea of thousands, which you are. But many will tell you, to make it, or even simply survive, in the film industry it is not enough to be talented, you need to have the right attitude and a lot of resilience. And although it is necessary to surround yourself with people in the industry, it is equally necessary to mingle with those who have nothing to do with it – both as a source of inspiration and as a means of regaining perspective. For there certainly is Tinsel, and when it’s showered on you it’s important to remember it’s just tinsel.

6. You are embarking on what will be the first, full-length feature film for the international market made by a Maltese director/scriptwriter. Why choose a Malta story to tell? What draws you back here?

I get really annoyed when people say that being Maltese is a disadvantage in the grand scheme of things. I think in an increasingly globalised world, in which cultures are merging sometimes into a faceless molten pot, it is important for us to explore, express and safeguard our particular identity. It is also the thing which allows us to have an edge over countries with populations of millions, as cultural uniqueness is becoming an increasingly rare feature.

In fact, one of the strongest factors which made me want to be a filmmaker was that I wanted to tell and show Malta. Most imminently for nostalgic purposes – the Malta of my childhood is disappearing a little every day and being buried by buildings which look like computer renderings.

But on a more fundamental level, I really feel that we still have a post-colonial identity crisis, which we haven’t addressed. So although I read my first degree in England, and my second degree in Los Angeles, the intention was always to come back and tell a Maltese story. I think through the arts (and very prominently, architecture) we can discover this identity and explore what its contemporary expression is. When one thinks of Malta we think of the legacy of the Knights or the rural scenes captured by Edward Caruana Dingli, and this is all well and good. But it’s about time that we have a strong contemporary counterpart to that which is Maltese, and not an imported generic ‘modernity’.

7. Who have been your mentors on the way?
There’s a reason why award acceptance speeches are so long, and that’s because the amount of guidance and support filmmakers absorb is huge! But I’d love to take this opportunity to express my appreciation of peers, mentors and all those who’ve been supportive of my career so far.

Of course without the faith and support of my parents I would have never had the opportunity to follow my passion. Spielberg and his crew (my first proper set experience was on ‘Munich’) have been essential in advising me and giving me continued training and support. The faculty at Art Center are absolutely incredible, and although I never went to the University of Malta, the Film department here has been extremely helpful. I am happy to say, that this goes for most of the other local institutions, like the film commission and the film fund. Additionally, Bank of Valletta and Air Malta are sponsoring the feature film which is currently in development. All this support – infrastructural, educational, and moral – is so vital. Just the other day I was injected with the means, energy and morale to move forward by a woman who has nothing to do with film, but who simply believes in film and the work my crew and I are doing. I will be eternally grateful to her. As I am for the support of many others.

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It's all in the eyes - powerful scenes in the LUX prize films (still from 'Sturm')

The European Parliament office in Malta is holding a Contemporary European Film series over three evenings, 4 – 6 May, celebrating winning entries in the European Parliament’s LUX Prize.   Films start each day at 18.30 and run for around 1.5 hours.  Wine and food is served after the event, and admission is free. With numbers limited to 70, and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, do book (see below for details).

What is the LUX Prize?
Awarded by the members of the European Parliament, the LUX Prize honours a film which illustrates particularly well the universal nature of European values, cultural diversity and the European integration process. The LUX Prize consists of assistance in kind in the form of subtitling and video-to-film transfer (kinescopage) of the winning film in the 23 official EU languages as well as an original language adaptation for the deaf and hard of hearing. For more info on the LUX09 Cinema Prize and on the movies to be shown, click here.

The Films showing…
The films all fall under a specific theme:
‘Eastern Plays’ talks about Intolerance. The movie is in Bulgarian with English Subtitles, trailer here.

‘Sturm’ talks about corruption when dealing with Crimes against Humanity. The movie is in English and Serbian with English subtitles, trailer here.

‘Welcome’ talks about Irregular Migration. The movie is French with English Subtitles, trailer to which can be accessed here.

Booking & Info
The European Parliament Office is at Europe House, 254 St Paul’s Street.
The room hosts a maximum of 70 people so if anyone is interested, e-mail epvalletta@europarl.europa.eu with names and contact details.  Or bookings can be made on our Facebook events’ page.

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The real Malta is still waiting to be captured on video

The way we see it – there is a great need for some ‘real-life’ spapshots of living and working on the islands. In the meantime, here are four examples we found as we start the online video trawl in search of the real Malta and Gozo.

Please refresh this page until you see all the videos load up.

TOURIST LOVE LETTER

COFFEE DRINKER

RAMBLING RAMBLER

ALTERNATIVE

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Diversity and inclusion don't usually sit together. Perhaps it's time they did.

Today, I finally had some time to catch up on in boxes on various social media, and browse around – to learn, research, and think about what we should have more of on Malta Inside Out. I am glad I did. Because I came across a message from the British Council, Malta, about a competition they ran last summer under the Council’s Inclusion and Diversity in Education project (INDIE) for schools. If you haven’t heard about this yet, do read on…

The Council had asked anyone who felt inspired by INDIE, to use their mobile phone cameras to make a three-minute film about the meaning of ‘diversity’. This was music to my ears. Malta is so often characterised as a society that relishes tradition, homogeneity and uniformity and one increasingly intolerant. So I did read on…

Malta was active in competing in its INDIE country cluster, which includes young people from the UK and Spain. Marlon Formosa from Kirkop Boys Secondary School won second prize. I clicked through to watch a wonderfully moving, sensitive piece of film about a boy called Deemar who suffers from a very rare condition called Metatropic Dysplaysia.

About the film
This is what Marlon says about his friend and his film: “I like him [Deemar] because in him I don’t see any disability but a great ability to fight against his physical limitations and have a positive attitude towards life. When the head of school told us about the INDIE Goes Mobile short film competition, Deemar came into my mind straight away.

“In creating this short film I found great help from his Learning Support Assistant, teachers and students altogether. But the main protagonist was Deemar himself.

“The first part of the video is about Deemar thinking about the problems he encounters in everyday school life. On the other hand, during the second part Deemar realises that he can be, and is a part of the school family.”

If you haven’t seen it, take three minutes out to watch Marlon’s film ‘Deemar’ below. He, Deemar and countless other young people like them are the people Malta can be proud of.

Read more about the winning entries.

Photo: Walter lo Cascio

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Ramon Mizzi, the Director

Ramon Mizzi is a film maker, currently reading for an MA in TV & Interactive Content at Birmingham City University, UK. In October 2009, his short film ‘In the End’ won Best International Contemporary Short in the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival. His brother Alexis was Director of Photography and co-producer of the film.

How did your interest in film start?
Our interest in film started way back as kids, when we used to go to the cinema on a weekly basis. Our grandfather Nenu owned Warner Theatre cinema in Qormi and we watched all the classics on the big screen there. In 2002, we decided to drop our current jobs and move to Sydney to get film training and after four years we graduated in Film Making with Honours.  Our thesis film won three awards in Malta and the protagonist was Jon Siveright from ‘Home & Away’ fame.  He just loved the script. The antagonist is Cristie Giordimania, a brilliant Maltese-Australian actress. ‘Moving On’ can be viewed here.

Where has your career taken you so far?
After finishing our course of study, we moved back to Malta and in 2007 we were employed by the Ministry of Education at the National TV Archives at PBS (Malta’s public broadcasting service). Our duties included restoring, archiving and sorting out the Maltese national treasure found at PBS.  Six months into our contract, we were commissioned to produce a daily five-minute feature for TVM called MILL-ARKIVJI.  We are proud and lucky to be able to show our country’s historical and cultural content to Maltese viewers. We loved working on it. Working with distinguished talent like Charles Abela Mizzi among others increased our knowledge and skills to be better broadcasters.

In May 2008, we were commissioned to work for KOPIN a Maltese NGO Platform to work on the GLOBAL ACTION SCHOOL MALTA VIDEO 2008 project. We wrote the script, filmed and edited it. It was so cool to work with teenagers and NGOs, exposing youngsters to the world of video making, and we involved them as much as we could.  The video was seen in the 27 EU Countries and Thailand and we produced it in such a way to promote Malta as a holiday destination.

Between April and August 2008, we were commissioned to work on a Wedding Documentary. Since weddings are not our cup of tea, we decided to jazz it up and steer off from the run-of-the-mill boring wedding videos. Luckily the couple involved are artists too and quickly took on board our idea. The finished product is an awesome off-the-wall wedding that they will cherish all their life.

2009 started as a slow year, because of the world crises, so Alex and I decided to do something, and came up with the concept for a contemporary short film

What was the inspiration for ‘The End’? How important is Malta as a backdrop for your work? And why did you select your father for the main role?
In December 2008, our last grandfather passed on. We couldn’t help noticing our big family gathering around him on his death bed, and I found myself asking whether I’d be as lucky at his age, to have so many and so caring a family around to say goodbye. Probably not, since I don’t plan to have 11 kids! Suddenly, the concept for ‘In the End’ was born. From the first draft to the 15th, I was continually twisting and turning, researching issues related to the elderly, until both Alex and I were happy with it.

Malta has excellent locations (although our film is mostly interiors). The weather is film-making friendly with continuous sunshine, not much rain and most of all the Maltese people are very accommodating when coming to film in houses or private properties. That is extremely helpful for us film makers. Something I experienced in Malta is the ease of access to locations compared to other countries.

Casting was easy since while writing as I had the actors in mind. Paul was portrayed by Philip Mizzi, my dad. We have known dad as an actor since we were kids and wanted to cast him in a film of ours. We talked about this from Australia while at film school, so finally the chance popped up.

You’ve just won a major award. What does this mean for you (and your brother) professionally?
To keep doing what we are doing and building on what we’ve got!! Winning in the US especially, is very encouraging as we know that we are on the right track. We have to improve a lot of things to reach higher levels, but at least it’s a start, considering that this is our second short film. Also maybe this award will help us tap into more funding and contacts to put Malta on the film-making map worldwide.

Do you think that creatives have to leave Malta to ‘make it’?
Well, this is a hard question. I can say Yes and No, because it’s a double edge sword. Leaving Malta will get Maltese talent exposed to the professional practices that professionals overseas abide by, like a bible. While in Malta, since film training amongst other things is lacking, things are done, let’s say differently or inappropriately. But it is easier today than say 10-15 years ago to get a Maltese film recognised and promoted overseas what with social media networks, interactivity and cheap flights. So long as you have a good story. With hard work, persistence and dedication, a Maltese short film can easily make it to any film festival overseas. On the other hand, Malta offers a lot of great things to film makers; I’ve worked on productions in Sydney and now in the UK and things that are easy to get in Malta are very difficult or costly in these countries.

What do you miss about Malta by being away?
The awesome Maltese weather and the beautiful Mediterranean sea, since currently I reside in the UK. I miss also the typical Maltese bread (being from Qormi) and friends that have always supported us in whatever we did.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Keep on dreaming, because those who dream achieve, we wish to say to young Maltese film makers, never quit and follow where your heart wants to go. Work your networks well and ask for help when you need it. If you are true to yourself you will make it.

Ramon Mizzi
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/Ramsku
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ramonmizzi
Twitter: Ramsku
LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/mizziramon

Alexis Mizzi
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/LIXU72
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/alexmizzi
Twitter: Nelix72
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/alexisjmizzi

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Worth seeing, and not just because a Maltese feature film is a novelty

We’re about to witness perhaps a ‘one of a kind’ in Maltese film-making with the arrival on screen of ‘Kont Diġa’ (‘I was, already’), a full-feature Maltese film with Maltese film-makers and a near totally Maltese cast. The film, shot in Maltese but showing with subtitles for non-Maltese speakers, premieres at St James Cavalier, 2 October.

The islands have long been recognised as a useful place to shoot films. Malta has seen the making of many international greats, and for good reason as it has excellent facilities. The Mediterranean Film Studios is renowned for its SFX water tank facilities, and Malta’s historic landmarks have served as locations for all manner of films from Midnight Express (1978) to Gladiator (2000) and the Da Vinci Code (2006).

Now, Malta is seeing its own film industry burgeoning, with Kont Diġa taking Malta down another avenue in its love affair with all things film. Director, Mark Dingli explains where Kont Diġa fits in the story of Maltese film-making: “This film is more comparable to older Maltese features than recent ones. Maybe what’s unique to it is that it’s not completely art house, neither is it a commercial popcorn flick. It has a clear narrative story, simple but present unlike the descriptive only nature of some early Maltese films. It’s easy to follow and everyone can relate to it in some way or another. But it’s definitely not a commercial film.

The Kont Diġa Storyline
The film’s storyline is one many returned Maltese migrants will no doubt associate with: it’s about a young free-spirited artist, Karl, who returns to his home island Malta after a long time away. It covers his personal journey discovering his roots. Reliving old habits with friends and memories from his childhood, this journey leads him to re-visit his past with his ex-girlfriend, and then with a new friend, Anna, through whom he visits his old home in Gozo, now a neglected house full of memories. Anna is his springboard for self reflection and becomes his reason for trying to start life again in Malta; a place he’s familiar with but is now seeing through different eyes.

The film-makers
‘Kont Diġa’ was directed by Mark Dingli and produced by Sascha Sammut using their own original screenplay. The film was independently funded and produced. It was made possible through international collaboration with young film-makers from the Netherlands, where Mark Dingli studied film for many years. The original soundtrack was written by Xavier Lopez from France and Marc Neyen from Germany. The film uses a nearly all-Maltese cast, with Karl Consiglio, Annabelle Galea and Marie Claire Camilleri taking the lead parts.

Premiere & Screenings
Kont Diġa was filmed in Malta last summer is now to premiere locally at St James Cavalier, 2 October, with further screenings on 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16 and 18 October. For more information, see www.kontdiga.com. For booking contact St James Cavalier on +356 21232166 or send an email on info@sjcav.org.

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You be the judge of this film. Catch it in Malta while you can.

Local film enthusiasts Joyce Grech and Tony Parnis have been working hard to put Malta on the map on the international short film circuit. After producing the Malta International TV Short Film Festival on TVM, they are now bringing the Manhattan Short Film Festival to the islands. The event is being sponsored by the Embassy of the United States of America in Malta and the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.

This is a very special international film festival since it brings together audiences from all over the world for one week through an exhibition of the ten, most compelling short films submitted each year. The festival, now in its 12th edition, is particular since it is the audiences themselves who are the judges. This means that up-and-coming film-makers face the greatest test of all: to be judged in cinemas by a global audience!

Now a Maltese audience will be able to enjoy top quality short films on show from around the world, and voice their opinion by casting their votes for the best film of the festival. Because for the first time, Valletta will be joining the over 150 cities participating in the 2009 Manhattan Short (20-27 September) from across the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. From 2010, the organisers are hoping to link up with venues in Africa – and in 2011, places as far away as ice stations in Antarctica!

All in all, the event is too good an opportunity to be missed if you like a good evening out at the movies!

When & Where in Malta
Local cinema-goers can attend one of the two nights available: Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September at 7.30pm at the cinema, St James Centre of Creativity, Valletta. The films will be repeated on each of the nights, giving a larger amount of the people the chance to participate in this international cinematic event.

Admission
The great news is that entrance is free of charge – to attend, you just need to reserve your seats by sending an e-mail: info@maltashortfilmfest.com or by calling 99425594, saying which night you’d like to go.

For more information on the Manhattan Short Film Festival, see the festival’s website

The Manhattan Short Film Festival is being made possible in Malta thanks to the support and sponsorship of:

Photo: Still from ‘Miente’, an entry from Spain. Director: Isabel De Ocampo

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No shortage of panache and passion at Malta's International TV Short Film Festival

Many people love film, but only a select few are crazy enough to want to make films. And even a more select few do so in tiny Malta and with no budget to work from! While massive productions such as Gladiator, Munich and Troy have been filmed in part on our shores – hiring many local professionals and actors in the process – there is much less glamour surrounding the Maltese making films in Malta about the Maltese for the Maltese.

Over the past few decades, Tony Parnis has been one of the few to attempt making local films. His feature-length movie ‘Operation White Dove’, filmed on a zero-budget in the 1990s, has attained cult-movie status of a sort. His most recent movie, ‘Scrooge’ (an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic) was aired in local cinemas and on TV in late 2008 and is considered by some to be one of the best local productions ever.

Now, Tony’s passion for local film making has gone one step further. Together with TV producer and presenter Joyce Grech, a movie-lover herself who is just as passionate about local film productions, Tony got the idea of creating an international platform for local short films to compete with foreign ones, with a side aim of getting Maltese films to be seen by a wider audience.

It was this idea which drove Tony and Joyce to produce the first edition of the Malta International Television Short Film Festival. Apparently, there has never been such a festival on any TV station anywhere else in the world. So this makes it a first for Malta!

Armed with a zero budget and lots of enthusiasm, the two used the internet and fellow film lovers around the globe to attract film makers to send in their short films. The response was amazing: more than 120 films were sent for consideration from 14 countries. The majority were from Malta, of course, but, entries came as well from Europe and as far away as Canada, the USA, Australia and Zambia!

The result has been a 12-programme festival aired on the national Maltese TV station (TVM). Expert judges commented on the films they have just seen, while the public got a chance to vote for their favourite film. The programme is mainly in the Maltese but has subtitles in English.

The festival awards ceremony will be aired on TVM and on the net on 2 July, at 10pm local time (but can be seen at any time after that on the net). The level of some of the short films is very high. Malta will be proud to note that there are seven or eight local short films in the running for some of the awards … including one for Best Picture Overall.

Tony and Joyce’s experiment has been a success; it has provided an audience for often little-known film makers and it has provided also an impetus for other local film makers to produce their own short films.

Malta may not yet have its own film school, but, for now, this is probably the closest thing we’ve got. Will we see further editions of this Festival? Time will tell as finances haven’t been easy to come by. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, even when there’s not much money around

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