Bursting through the clouds | Martin Bonnici

What made you go for this as your next project?

It's hard to give a reason why this was next. I've been working on the project for a couple of years and at some point I felt that I had the right resources available and was ready for the challenge of preparing for production.

You said that the film is 'based on the Maltese culture'. Could you give us a taste of the story, and how it links to Malta in particular?

The film is about love and loss and it revolves around three relationships involving four relatives that have all enjoyed the joys of love and the pain of loss. It's a story about family and communicating that starts of with an old couple who are still deeply in love. Once the wife dies, the husband is left alone and is expected to cope without the most important person in life. How does one cope with that situation? What choice does one have? Are the answers as clear as we'd expect them to be?

Tell us about the European Short Pitch. What was the process to enter it like, and what does it mean to be accepted within its ranks?

The European Short Pitch was a great experience. The application process was simple: send in the screenplay together with a cover letter and a one-page application form. Over 200 projects were submitted and 'Shab' was one of just 23 chosen. The ESP is similar to the Torino Film Labs, even sharing some of their tutors and personnel, but aimed at developing co-production on short films. I think that being accepted to attend means that you're on the right track, but your project can be developed further.

How was the script 'developed further' from there? Were there structural changes that needed to be made? How did this improve on your original script?

Chris [Galea] and I always had problems with the ending of the script. Draft after draft, we'd still be going "but... there's something missing". We knew what the ending was, but weren't sure on how to get there. When Jean Pierre Magro and Cassi [Camilleri] got involved, it was about finding the right structure to accommodate the world and the characters we'd built. In a way to dramatise it further. They helped us remove the fat and introduce richer elements to the story.

How does this project differ from your previous productions?

In a number of ways. This is a step up from my previous live-action production. Although my latest projects have been animated ones, I've been involved in live-action film and commercials for around 10 years, however I have never had such a talented and dedicated crew at my disposal. Since my last live-action effort about five years ago, I have also changed and have been studying and preparing a lot for this project.

How do you think the film will be received by local audiences, and does it fundamentally differ in any way - from a production point of view - to other local productions?

All productions differ, and as I've said before, I try and ensure that the projects I undertake are somewhat realistic. If the funds available are enough to cover a small drama, I will make a small drama and no action blockbuster. I hope local audiences will enjoy the film and that no one says 'bhal ta barra dan!' ['this film could pass as a foreign production!']

You said that you'll be raising 'completion funds' through crowdfunding - are you confident that you'll be successful?

Raising funds to shoot a film like 'Shab' at the level we're aiming for is no easy feat. Although the Malta Film Fund have given us a grant of €18,000, we received a small grant from Invex Malta towards the internationlisation of the project and we have some small sponsorships. When we're paying and feeding a crew of around 14 professionals and 4 cast members, the money soon runs out. At the moment, we've just started shooting and have enough funding to complete the process and do basic post-production. We're just trying to raise a little bit more funding to make sure post is done at the highest level and allow us some creative freedom.

Shab is supported by the Malta Film Fund, Invex Malta and Panalight Nexos and produced in collaboration with Turbulence Films, Pasmania Entertainment and Immortal Transmedia. For more information and updates, log on to Shadeena Films.