WATCH Maltese Mockbuster: €150 Satire Skewers €500k Film Fiasco
Watch, Filmmakers Mock High-Spending Film Commission with €150 Satire
Ah, welcome to the wild, wacky world of Malta's film industry. Hold onto your hats because we've got a tale that’s as unbelievable and shocking. This story has it all: outrageous spending, local talent on a shoestring budget, and a satire that leaves us all wondering how our tax euros are really being used.
Picture this: weeks before Malta's film commissioner Johann Grech decided to burn a staggering €500,000 on a short promo film (yes, you read that right, half a million euros!), some of Malta's finest acting talents cobbled together a satirical blockbuster trailer on a budget that wouldn’t even cover a night out at Nando's. The cost? A laughable €150.
Our protagonist, Maxime Durand, a local filmmaker with a penchant for irony, directed this satirical gem. His creation, "Day of the Pay," is a five-minute marvel of mockery aimed squarely at the high-spending antics of Grech’s film commission. The plot? Oh, it’s deliciously ironic - two reporters dive into a noir-esque investigation of a series of murders within the administration, all set in a dystopian world where artists are perpetually underpaid and ignored. The film ends with a gut-punch tagline: “In theatres near you… if there were funds for it.”
The €500,000 Question
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Grech’s magnum opus – a 10-minute feature starring David Walliams and featuring our very own film commissioner – reportedly cost an eye-watering €500,000. Some insiders whisper that the actual amount might be even higher. Grech remains tight-lipped about the precise figures, defending the extravagance as a necessary expense to rival epic tales like "Game of Thrones" or "The Crown."
The Local Talent Revolt
Enter Maxime Durand and his motley crew of talented Maltese actors. They filmed "Day of the Pay" over 11 not-quite-full days, pooling their skills and resources without a single paycheck. The entire production was completed in three weeks, a whirlwind project from script to final cut. All this for a meager €150 – just 0.03% of Grech’s lavish budget.
Durand, who eschews applying for government funds, was inspired by years of observing Maltese creatives’ frustrations. Millions are splashed around without consultation while local artists are left scraping the bottom of the barrel. His trailer was initially intended for an April Fool's competition but missed the deadline. Released on social media in May, it has recently gained renewed attention amid the ongoing drama of the Mediterrane Film Festival.
The Verdict
Malta’s film sector is a hotbed of talent, ready to explode onto the international scene if only the powers that be could see past their extravagant whims. Maxime Durand’s satire is more than just a mock trailer; it’s a scathing critique and a clarion call for valuing local talent. As Durand himself puts it, the trailer showcases the potential of Maltese actors, who are too often relegated to bit parts in foreign productions.
So, ladies and gentlemen, as you sip your tea and clutch your pearls, remember this: sometimes, the best stories are the ones told with a shoestring budget and a hearty dose of satire. Stay tuned for the next thrilling episode of "Day of the Pay" – if it ever gets the funding it deserves.
Until then, drive safely, and don’t believe everything you see in a government budget.
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