‘Big Farce And Disrespect To Local Talent’ : Iċ-Ċaqqufa Actress Calls Out Johann Grech
Maltese actress Lara Azzopardi, known for her role as Rose DeGiovanni on the drama series Iċ-Ċaqqufa, has come out strongly against the attitude displayed by Film Commissioner Johann Grech.
Amidst controversy over Grech’s expenditure on the Mediterrane Film Festival, including a ten-minute promo with Grech himself in an acting role, Azzopardi said the Commissioner “managed to bring Hollywood to Malta”.
“He knows how to pay, he knows how to organise, and he knows how to get paid too,” she said. “This is a big farce and disrespect towards those who truly have talent here in Malta. Local industry professionals have to beg to deliver a ‘quality’ production on Maltese TV, but we keep getting told that there are no funds.”
“Who knows how often we worked for free for long hours…”
Azzopardi went on to speak about her experience dealing with Grech when she landed a part-time job at the Malta Film Commissioner after graduating in film in 2019.
She claimed Grech withheld her salary for months, acted the bully, and adopted a mocking attitude towards her and other women.
“I always had great esteem and respect for him, until one day, with drink in his head, his arrogance towards me emerged greater and clearer than ever. I have no esteem left for you, Johann Grech. I held out hope for many years because I was told that you had changed but you have now taken your abuse to a national level.”
Lovin Malta has reached out to Grech to ask him to respond to Azzopardi’s claims.
READ NEXT: 'I Went To Ukraine's Frontline To Witness Our Life-Saving ICU On Wheels,' Maltese NGO Worker
