Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/908437
maltatoday WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2017 News 6 MATTHEW AGIUS DEMOCRATIC Party MP Godfrey Farrugia, testifying in court today in a case re- volving around a threatening comment posted on Facebook by a certain Mario Baldacchi- no, emphasised that it was im- portant for the court to send a clear message about such threats. The Facebook comment had said that Farrugia's partner Marlene Farrugia had been "digging her own grave". Lawyer Joe Giglio, appearing for Farrugia, argued that the court could not let what hap- pened slide. He remarked that, where normally the Farrugias would have brushed the threat off, the climate was now different, and a message had to be sent. He explained that the Far- rugias were not after their pound of flesh, but they want- ed Baldacchino to recognise the seriousness of what he has done. John Bonello, lawyer for the accused, said that "grave" was just a metaphor, and that he was apologising for any fear caused. Moreover, he said, the comment had to be taken in the context of the hundreds of online comments which are written. Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, presiding, however said that the accused must un- derstand that such comments could influence people with bad intentions, and asked how the accused would be able to live with himself had someone done something to the Farru- gias , having been influenced by the Facebook comment. She urged Baldacchino to be an example to others, as she noted that banal comments online where on the increase. Bonello remarked that eve- rybody had their own way of expressing themselves, and said that the accused and Marlene Farrugia had en- gaged with each other online in the past. Taking the witness stand, Godfrey Farrugia said that the incident had taken place on his birthday. He said that he had heard from his partner that the situation was worse than he thought, as she had been re- ceiving death threats on the phone, SMS and Facebook. Her mobile was now in the hands of an assistant who deals with her calls, he ex- plained. Farrugia said that a news- paper had picked up his Fa- cebook comment, where he called out the person who wrote the threat,. The newspaper had posed a question to the Prime Min- ister about the issue, who re- sponded that such issues had to be dealt with in court. This led Farrugia to get more threats, and there had also been an urgent arraignment of an unnamed person who is- sued a threat. "Marlene and I want to sow good and forgiveness, but fear reigns in the Farrugia house- hold," he maintained, as he said that the couple were will- ing to forgive Baldacchino. "Whenever a car stops near our door at night, I worry, be- cause we had stood for what is right," he said, adding that the couple hoped this particu- lar case would be an example which would lead to change. The media was being used as a propaganda tool to incite people, he maintained, and Facebook was part of this. "As a doctor I prevent dis- ease," he said, "and this is a preventive measure", as he explained that as a doctor, he constantly heard people telling him that they were tired of living, but he could not afford to ignore them all the time. The case continues in Janu- ary. Fear reigns in household due to threats, Godfrey Farrugia says Farrugia maintains media and Facebook are being used as a propaganda tool to incite people TIA RELJIC "NAH, it's a piece of cake," Faye Alamango told us when asked about the difficulties about as- suming the roles of director, producer, writer, and actor in a Malta's first ever narrated web series. The new series has launched its pilot episode on Facebook and Youtube, telling the story of a tarot reader who comes face to face with the devil him- self. Gypsy & The Devil is a fic- tional story mostly set in Val- letta, but Faye is no stranger to tarot-reading herself. She is a musician, artist, and chef, but also a tarot reader with nearly two decades of experience be- hind her. In fact, the idea for the series emerged from what was meant to be a mini-documentary to promote her services on social media. "This is when an insane idea came to my head," she said, "I thought that it might be in- teresting if the interview sud- denly changes into a movie, confusing and surprising the audience." Faye said the shift from doc- umentary to fictional mystery movie would keep audiences intrigued, and segregating the film into a mini-series in or- der to keep viewers guessing would give them a good reason to follow her content. She embarked upon the pro- ject with zero experience, but was lucky enough to find a team that is supportive and prepared to take part in it for free. But now that the first episode has been launched, Faye says she has become aware of finan- cial issues which might arise as the series goes along. "I wish to do so much more and get super creative, but these things come at a cost," "I was lucky to have friends who offered to help out, as they know I am just a little chef who works in a pub in the south of Malta, and not some big shot director with money to splash out," she said, explaining that she does not have any contacts in the film industry who would help fund the film or offer to sponsor it. "We are all ama- teurs here, but we love what we do." "To me personally, I'm hav- ing a fun time testing my new- found creative skills in writ- ing, directing, and acting. I'm proud even though this isn't some huge blockbuster movie for a person who is just started in this scene." Faye said that she thinks she's done well so far, and hopes that someone from the Malta Arts Council or people in the Maltese film industry will see potential in the series. "With their support, this series could grow. I'm thinking of the Cannes Film Festival Awards!" she exclaimed. "I have never seen any films in Malta being produced about the mystical world, or a story about a tarot reader or any- thing of the sort," she said. "What I've written and done is original and with the help of the right people, this could be something big in the future." The project is raw and fresh, and plans to introduce locals to the mysticism which they otherwise might never become acquainted with. She tells us that the mystical world on the island is alive and well. "We have some talented sha- mans, high priestesses, light workers and healers, who don't involve religion but believe in the powers of love and the di- vine that is mother earth and of course, the universe." Faye would like to slowly introduce such characters in the series, as they were the real inspira- tion for the story of Gypsy & the Devil. Faye thinks that tarot read- ing is considered to be part of witchcraft and devil-worship- ping by locals, since their reli- gion classifies it as sin. "But modern day tarot read- ing is nothing like that. It's all based on quantum mechanics and psychology. Malta needs to open its eyes and stop being narrow-minded about things like tarot reading." "At the end of the day, you create your own destiny. Tar- ot cards show you the possi- bilities, but only you have the power to choose the direction you wish to take in your life." Faye would like to challenge the taboo surrounding tarot reading, and she is hopeful. "Tattoos were once frowned upon, and now almost eve- ryone has them. Times have changed, and in this new era, an awakening society needs to wake up." The pilot episode of Gypsy & The Devil can be found both on the Fire & Moon Dust Mys- tical Emporium on Facebook and on Youtube. The music is composed by Faye Alamango, Paula Irene Gomez De Aranda Jurado and recorded and produced by Norwegian DJ Sunngifu Vani, and the story board designed by Sylvia Pace. The cast features Christo- pher Mamo as The Devil, Lella Nadine Munro as the custom- er getting her reading, and the tarot reader is played by Faye herself. The interviewer is played by Helia Asadbeck. Meeting the devil on the streets of Valletta Faye Alamango