Gagga

This movie shows that the Maltese do have the talent to produce a quality movie worthy of the attention of true movie-lovers. Rather than focusing on stunts and action sequences or soap opera style drama, renowned Maltese director Mario Azzopardi had made a film in the early 70s, based on a famous Maltese novel "Il-Gagga ta' Frans Sammut", which concentrated on good story telling skills and convincing acting.

It tells a story of Maltese life in the 60s, where people were hopelessly blinded by religious and political fanaticism, and of the effects of these on the main character Fredu. He has to endure rantings, heartbreak, hallucinations and tragedy, until the time comes when he does not care about anything anymore. The surrealism sequences remind of Luis Bunuel, but are very well made and show that Azzopardi has an eye for the unusual. There were episodes that had a distinct feel of black humour in them, which I think may have been the underlying intention. This was a controversial film in its time, which I am told was banned locally, for the same previously mentioned fanatical reasons.

It is tragic that many Maltese still do not appreciate the quality of such movies. This is why some really excellent movies don't make it past the first week in the cinemas, and mindless crappy movies last for weeks on end.

It is also a pity that this particular movie cannot be fully appreciated by a foreign audience, since the director seems to assume the audience is knowledgeable of certain aspects of the local lifestyle. My suggestion for Maltese producers is not to target an exclusive local audience if they intend to make another movie of this calibre.