Malta temples may be subject of Imax film

Producer Greg MacGillivray visited Malta this week, looking at locations for an Imax film about prehistoric temple sites.

MacGillivray Freeman Films are the world's largest producer of IMAX films and are the makers of Everest, the highest grossing documentary of all time.

Mr MacGillivray was impressed with Malta and particularly with the temples and the Hypogeum. He said that in his professional opinion, there was "definitely a successful film here".

The film would follow building in limestone through various periods of history, with special focus on the prehistoric monuments.

"An Imax film about Malta would be seen by eight million to 20 million people worldwide. You could double that number for the video and the DVD," Mr MacGillivray said.

Mr MacGillivray met Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, who was also excited at the prospect.

Also present for an informal meeting at the InterContinental Malta were Ian and Kevin De Cesare, directors of the Eden Leisure Group, Kate De Cesare, director of the Imax Theatre, Edmund Gatt Baldacchino, president of the Maltese American Chamber of Commerce, Chris and Joe Grima of Impact PR, and Linda C. Eneix and Josette Portelli of the OTS Foundation.

Ms Eneix initiated contact with MacGillivray Freeman Films last October with regard to making a film about the temples on Malta and Gozo.

Such a film could premier in Malta as early as March 2005.

It would also be of great appeal to tourist groups already in Malta, who can get a deeper understanding of Malta's rich history. Maltese students would benefit greatly from such a film as it was in line with many areas of the national curriculum and would give them the opportunity to learn about Malta's history, the Eden Group said.