As Danish and Russian film production companies are shooting parts of two separate productions in different areas around the country, filming for one of the productions in Attard last week has angered a few residents.
The Malta Transport Authority (ADT) has issued two notifications regarding limited or no accessibility to some roads between 13 July and 1 September due to filming, but the list did not include anything about the closure of part of St Anthony Street in Attard, which was in fact made inaccessible throughout last week.
A spokesman from the Industry, Investment and Information Technology Ministry confirmed that part of the Russian film Man of East was, in fact, shot in part of St Anthony Street, but could not confirm whether or not the residents were compensated for the inconvenience.
Residents complained that they were not allowed access to their homes, or to leave them, for many hours throughout last week, while filming of part of the Russian production was under way.
Their anger is perfectly understandable, considering that the same street happens to be the one that was only recently opened after being inaccessible for more than eight months due to roadworks.
The Russian production is being shot in 11 locations, including Comino, over a total of 45 days.
Meanwhile, the second production, a Danish film entitled Tempelriddernes Skat III (The Lost Treasures of the Knights Templar III), is the second sequel of a popular Danish adventure film for children.
While the Danish production team arrived in Malta on 2 July, filming for the Russian movie began on 13 July.
Produced by Danish feature film production company M&M Productions, the film tells the story of Danish teenage friends on holiday in Malta who are searching for some lost treasure of the Templar knights, said to be buried on the island.
Following the first two successful features, the third 90-minute film is due to be ready for delivery to distributors by 2 February next year.
Though mainly in Danish, the script will also feature dialogue in English and Maltese. In fact, some local actors auditioned, hoping to join the cast or the team of extras.
The film is being shot in Malta in its entirety, 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 are among the principal 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:
Thursday, 26 July
between 6am and 7pm
Parking will not be permitted in St Agatha Street, Rabat
Intermittent traffic control in St Agatha Street, Rabat
From 7pm on Thursday, 26 July
until 8pm on Friday, 27 July
Parking will not be permitted in the Lascaris Ditch car park
Saturday, 28 July between
10am and 5pm
Parking will not be permitted on the stretch of East Street linking St Barbara Bastions to Victoria Gate, Valletta
Intermittent traffic control in East Street, Valletta
Parking will not be permitted along St Barbara Bastion in the vicinity of bridge, Valletta
From 6am on Monday, 30 July
until 7pm on Wednesday, 1 August
Parking will not be permitted on the stretch of Merchants Street linking Archbishop Street to Felix Street, Valletta
From 8pm on Monday, 30 July
until 9pm on Thursday, 2 August
Parking will not be permitted in the Lascaris Ditch car park, Valletta
Wednesday, 1 August
between 7am and 7pm
Parking will not be permitted on the stretch of East Street linking St Barbara Bastion to Victoria Gate, Valletta
Intermittent traffic control in East Street, Valletta
Parking will not be permitted along St Barbara Bastion in the vicinity of bridge, Valletta
Thursday, 2 August between
6am and 7pm
Parking will not be permitted on Strait Street from the corner with St John Street up to the corner with Cart Street, Valletta
Intermittent traffic control along Strait Street from the corner with St John Street up to the corner with Melita Street, Valletta
Parking will not be permitted along St Ursula Street from its corner with Archbishop Street up to its corner with St John Street, Valletta
Access to St Ursula Street from its corner with Archbishop Street up to its corner with St John Street will be controlled intermittently.
From 8pm on Tuesday, 28 August
until 9pm on Wednesday, 29 August
Parking will not be permitted in the Lascaris Ditch car park, Valletta
From 8pm on Thursday, 30 August until 6am on Saturday, 1 September Parking will not be permitted at the Lascaris Ditch car park, Valletta