Sources Say Johann Grech’s Ten-Minute Short Film Cost Far More Than €500,000
The 10-minute promo showed at the Mediterrane Film Festival featuring Film Commissioner Johann Grech and British comedian David Walliams cost Malta far more than €500,000, according to industry sources who spoke to Lovin Malta.
Lovin Malta released excerpts of the film titled Once Upon a Time in Malta and it features Grech giving Walliams a trophy and the British comedian falling into a wormhole where he travels back to Malta during the days of the Knights.
The film allegedly employed 130 crew members and was led by a foreign director, Times of Malta reported. Lovin Malta is also informed that the commissioner allegedly had his own personal luxury-trailer worthy of A-list celebrities
Coincidentally, Lovin Malta was able to catch Walliams presumably during the filming of the promo because he was seen wearing the same distinct knight’s costume shown in the clip.
When asked about the controversy that surrounded his pay-check by the Commission for hosting last year’s Malta Film Awards, Walliams, seemingly sarcastically, said that he had no idea about it before walking off to his car.
Industry insiders who watched the film stated that it cost at least half a million euros – Grech did not comment on the cost but stated that any investment related to the festival will be disclosed in the economic report.
He defended the short film by stating that the Knights have a remarkable historical and narrative significance, saying that the clip will be used in various screen tourism and promotional events in the coming months.
“This story can be as impactful as Game of Thrones or The Crown.”
Do you think €500,000 is a reasonable amount for a 10-minute film?
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