Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1088108
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 MARCH 2019 5 THIS WEEK FILM land, but Malta and its people helped me out in a way that went beyond all expectations. How did you find Malta, both as a shooting location and an inspiration for narrative content? What do you think should be the next step forward for local film-makers who want to create something truly notable? It's an amazing shooting location, there's no question about that. The landscapes are astonishing, the light is perfect, even the extreme weath- er can serve its purpose, although I must say it has been difficult lately. The first time I went to Comino I thought "This is the perfect backdrop for a cowboy flick". Each time a Maltese person looks at one of my films and asks, "Where did you shoot this?" then I know I've picked the right scout for 'The Rock'. And yet I keep discovering new plac- es. It's a location that keeps on giving. You can pretend to be in different countries, different eras... well maybe not for that long anymore, but when I arrived it was a smack in the face, so many ideas have blossomed here. As a narrative content, there's so much to say it's overwhelming really, first historically, then socially. The paradox of this island is a very inter- esting inspiration, I used to say that it was like slipping through a worm- hole into a different universe: every- thing seems to be the same, and yet feels different. I don't know whether I'm in a position to give any ad- vice to anybody, but a good starting point for me is to find that thing I'd like to say, but haven't yet dared to. Then, film it. Think outside the box, then destroy the box. There's more than enough drone footage of Malta filmed for advertising purposes. We don't need any more of that. What's next for you? No spoilers, I don't want to know. 'Coming Soon' can be viewed for free on Maxime Durand's YouTube chan- nel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ madmaximedurand "There's more than enough drone footage of Malta filmed for advertising purposes. We don't need any more of that" "I've always been lucky to find help and support for my projects in France and England, but Malta and its people helped me out in a way that went beyond all expectations" Stills from 'Coming Soon' - a YouTube web series by Maxime Durand Maxime Durand, as seen in Episode 4 of 'Coming Soon'