The Maltese islands will be bustling with activity in the coming weeks as two foreign film production companies will be shooting two separate productions – a low-budget Russian movie and a feature film of a popular Danish adventure sequel.
While the Danish production team arrived in Malta on Monday, filming for the Russian movie will begin on Friday 13 July.
In fact, the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) has issued a notification regarding closure of some roads between 13 and 30 July due to filming of the $5 million Russian production entitled Man of East. The team will be shooting in 11 locations, including Comino, for a total of 45 days.
The Danish production entitled Tempelriddernes Skat III (The Lost Treasures of the Knights Templar III) is the second sequel of a popular Danish adventure feature for children.
Produced by Danish feature film production company M&M Productions, it tells the story about Danish teenage friends on holiday in Malta. The teenagers are in search of a lost treasure of the Templar knights, who are said to be buried on the island.
Following the first two successful sequels, the third 90-minute film is due to be ready for delivery to distributors by 2 February next year.
It is being distributed and sold by Nordisk Film – one of Scandinavia’s largest film companies.
It will also be telecast after its theatrical exhibition.
The feature is directed by Giacomo Campeotto and produced by Tivi Magnusson, owner of the production company M&M.
Though mainly in Danish, the script will also feature dialogue in English and Maltese. In fact, some local actors auditioned, hoping to form part of the cast or the team of extras.
Most of the feature film is being shot in Malta, with a total of 30 days scheduled for this summer. Shooting will take place in various locations, including Rabat, Valletta and Mdina.
Malta International Airport, Hagar Qim, Fort St Angelo, the Rabat catacombs and the Danish Village in Mellieha, will be among the main places that will be used as original backdrops.
ADT has notified that the following parking restrictions and management schemes will come into force due to filming:
Friday 13 July
between 7am and 7pm
Parking will not be permitted in front of the Maria Addolorata Cemetery car park (upper part).
Tuesday 17 July between
7am and 5pm
On-street parking in Bastion Square, Mdina, will be removed.
Intermittent traffic control in Bastion Square, Mdina.
From Tuesday 17 July at 6pm, until Wednesday 18 July at 6pm
On-street parking outside the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, will be removed.
On-street parking (20 spaces) in from Girolamo Cassar Avenue in Valletta, will be removed.
Wednesday 18 July
from 6am to 6pm
Vehicular traffic along St Paul Street linking Castille Palace to Melita Street in Valletta, will be controlled intermittently.
From Monday 23 July at 6am, until Tuesday 24 July at 7pm
On-street parking on the stretch along Merchant Street linking Archbishop Street to Felix Street in Valletta, will be removed.
Wednesday 25 July
between 7am and 7pm
On-street parking will be removed from Parish Square in Rabat.
Intermittent traffic control in Parish Square.
Thursday 26 July
between 6am and 7pm
On-street parking in St Agatha Street in Rabat, will be removed.
Intermittent traffic control in St Agatha Street.
From Thursday 26 July at 6pm, until Friday 27 July at 6pm
On-street parking outside the Lascaris Ditch car park in Valletta, will be removed.
From Monday 30 July at 6am, until Wednesday 1 August at 7pm
On-street parking on the stretch along Merchants Street linking Archbishop Street to Felix Street in Valletta, will be removed.