Celebrated as Malta’s ‘Silent City’, Mdina is a fortified medieval town on the Mediterranean island, with a history that stretches back to the 8th century BC. Since its first appearance as a film location in the 1928 silent film Bolibar, the city’s ramparts, grand palazzos, and narrow, winding streets have made it a sought-after filming location, for a diverse range of productions.
In 2022, Ridley Scott’s Napoleon made full use of Mdina’s streets, squares and palaces to stand in for both 19th century Paris and the island of Elba, as Scott recreated Napoleon’s first exile from 1814 to 1815
The filmmaker returned to Malta with Gladiator II , having shot Gladiator first on the island in 1998.
Further notable productions to have carved themselves into Mdina lore include Renny Harlin’s Cutthroat Island in 1995, which featured a horse-drawn carriage chase through its narrow alleys, reimagining them as the pirate town of Port Royal in Jamaica. Kevin Reynolds’ The Count Of Monte Cristo found itself in the Silent City in 2002, while HBO’s Game Of Thrones saw Mdina transformed on screen as King’s Landing in season one.
Filmmakers say Mdina’s cinematic appeal lies in both its architectural and atmospheric qualities. The town’s compact nature is also logistically convenient, making it relatively easy to set up filming equipment and move between different locations.
Mdina is both a living historical site as well as a workable film location thus the Malta Film commission helps filmmakers to collaborate with local authorities to ensure cultural preservation and that there is minimal impact on the town and its inhabitants.
It also helps filmmakers to access Malta’s 40% incentive and connects them to the island’s experienced local crew.
Contact: Susan Ronald
Find out more: https://screenmalta.com
The EUFCN Location Awards are the annual prizes for European filming locations, organised by the European Film Commissions Network (EUFCN).
No comments yet