Ridley Scott shoots ‘Kitbag’ in Malta
Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby will start shooting next week in Malta on Ridley Scott’s film “Kitbag,” about Napoleon’s rise to power. Polish cinematographer Dariusz Adam Wolski is lensing, according to New Europe Film.
Phoenix, who plays the French emperor, and Kirby, who plays his wife Josephine, arrive in Malta this week, according to Times of Malta, which cites sources in the local film industry. The cast includes Tahar Rahim, Youssef Kerkour, John Hollingworth, Edouard Philipponnat and Alfredo Tavares. David Scarpa wrote the script.
The production of Apple Studios will use various locations in Malta including Attard, Senglea, Valletta, Mellieha, Siġġiewi, Mdina, Fort Ricasoli and Malta Film Studios, according to Times of Malta.
Filming in Malta will end in mid-May. Kitbag is also firing in France and the UK
Scott previously used Malta as a venue for “White Squall” (1996) and “Gladiator” (2000).
Macedonian Director Agim Abdula on Post with Coma
Macedonian director Agim Abdula is in post-production with the feature of his debut “Coma,” which will be released in the fall.
In the film, Afrim and Kenan meet after many years apart and share childhood memories. Afrim experiences a disaster that puts Kenan in a very difficult situation. Is Kenan willing to sacrifice everything to stay close to his childhood friend?
The script is written by Bunjamin Kurtishi with Iranian filmmaker Shahram Mokri acting as a creative consultant. The cast includes popular actors such as Naser Rafuna, Xhevdet Jashari and Refet Abazi.
Bunjamin Kurtishi and Fidush Kjamilio are producing through Galaktika Pictures, along with Vardar Film. Almost the entire budget of Euro 373,984 comes from production support from the Northern Macedonia Film Agency.
The film was shot in several locations in Skopje from January 24 to February 15, 2022.
Slovak 2021 Lowest admissions since 1993
Total admissions to Slovakia reached 2,037,942 in 2021, a decrease of 13.82% compared to 2020. It is the lowest number of admissions since 1993. The gross total was Euro 12,351,764, a decrease of 11,56% compared to 11,56% compared to 1993.
Despite the fact that the number of Slovak premieres in cinemas increased by 50%, attendance at Slovak titles decreased by 73.8% to 203,452 admissions, compared to 775,487 in 2020, according to Union of Slovak Film Distributors.
A total of 30 local films (16 documentaries, 13 films and one animated film) were distributed in Slovakia in 2021, an increase of 50% compared to 2020. Six of them were 100% Slovak productions, 10 were majority co-productions, and there were 14 minority co-productions.
Cinema screenings fell by only 0.76% from 98,714 in 2020 to 97,962 in 2021, but average admissions fell by 13.16% from 23.96 visitors per view in 2020 to 20.8 visitors in 2021.
In total, cinemas were to be closed for 173 days in 2021, compared to 116 days in 2020.
This article is published in partnership with the online news service New Europe Filmcovering news from the film and TV industry from across Central and Eastern Europe.