When you think of Malta’s film industry, whose face is the first that comes to mind? Perhaps it’s Russel Crowe pranzing into Rinella, Chris Pratt riding a dinosaur through Valletta, Malta’s Film Commissioner Johann Grech or… a blonde woman posing in a car.

A blonde woman posing in a car has been the face, nay, unsung hero, that fronts of the page of the Malta Film Commission’s Facebook page since 10th July, and 154 days later, she’s still there, looking out seductively.

Malta’s Film Commission has had to deal with more than a hacked Facebook page this year, being plagued with scandals and unanswered questions, which led to the Malta Film Fund being transferred under the culture ministry to administer in November.

In September, The National Audit Office confirmed that it is investigating the Malta Film Commission’s spending on the controversial and massively generous cash rebates.

Nationalist MPs had pushed for a formal investigation after the revelation that a staggering €137 million was allocated by the Malta Film Commission to beneficiaries that are companies registered outside Malta. This forms part of the generous cash rebate scheme which promises production houses 40% cash back if they film in Malta.

A €143 million in public funds was announced over the past five years to finance approximately 54 films and TV series. While the aim is to attract production companies to Malta, concerns have arisen regarding the real benefits Malta gains from such hefty rebates, especially when half of the budgets of international companies are spent outside of Malta.

Comparatively, while countries like Italy, Spain, France, and Greece have capped their film rebates, Malta’s spending, already exceeding the set budget by a considerable margin, is projected to grow even more.

All this begs two questions: what will the investigation into the film commission reveal, and will we ever know what the blonde woman is thinking?

Tag someone who might know