Maltese wins Sundance award
Jesmark Scicluna, a Siġġiewibased fisherman, who was cast as the lead of the Maltese film, Luzzu, has won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award in Acting at the Sundance Film Festival. Luzzu was directed by Alex Camilleri and made its world premiere at Sundance this past weekend.
The announcement was made early Wednesday morning at the festival’s awards ceremony, hosted by actor and comedian Patton Oswalt in a semi-virtual event capping off the festival’s seven-day run.
Representing the World Cinema jury, Turkish producer Zeynep Atakan said, “Luzzu is a beautifully recorded film which immerses us in a powerful story and a context far away from the touristic point of view of Malta some may know. The emotions that come up with this movie are honest and brought to us by the very well documented situation of the fishermen.”
She continued: “Acting is more than magic - it’s mystery. Amongst the biggest mysteries of acting sometimes you find people that... bring a message along with them. That is pure biography, and it transcends the body.”
Scicluna plays Jesmark, a struggling fisherman, who is forced to turn his back on generations of tradition and risk everything by entering the world of black market fishing to provide for his wife and newborn baby.
In receiving the award, Scicluna thanked director Alex Camilleri, and casting director Edward Said, “for taking a leap of faith in me”. He also thanked his co-stars, fellow fisherman David Scicluna and actress Michela Farrugia, as well as the film’s producers Rebecca Anastasi, Ramin Bahrani and Oliver Mallia. Last but not least, he thanked his family, especially his wife, MariaCarla Scicluna, and their four-year old daughter, Cheryl Scicluna.
Camilleri praised Scicluna, saying, “Developing this character over two years with me, Jesmark demonstrated extraordinary commitment to this project. His performance is not simply a great ‘non-actor’ performance; it’s a great performance, period.”
“Jesmark elevates Luzzu with a subtlety and soulfulness that reminds me of the very best screen actors, and I’m thrilled his work is being recognized at the highest levels.”
Luzzu is the first Maltese film to ever screen at a major film festival. Since its premiere last Friday, the Maltese language film has been garnering acclaim from audiences and leading film critics.
Guy Lodge from Variety called the film “an honest, affecting slab of working-class portraiture…The film’s striking lead is Jesmark Scicluna...his sturdy, undemonstrative but quietly potent presence largely sets the tone for the film around him.”
Wendy Ide from Screen Daily said, “the impressive feature debut from Maltese-American writer and director Alex Camilleri manages to be both self-contained, in its depiction of an embattled community, but also unexpectedly far-reaching in its themes.”
And Ryan Aldrich of Screen Anarchy wrote “A poignant and deeply touching tale of humanity… Look for this one to be in the conversation for Best International Feature a year from now.”
Luzzu was made with the support of the Malta Film Fund and the financial incentives were provided by the Malta Film Commission and the Government of Malta. Sales are by Memento Films International.