Production House says it meant no disrespect in cemetery photo shoot

Joseph Cremona

Oct 24th 2009, 23:11

The Malta Film Commission is advertizing the cemetery as a FILMING LOCATION in its website!
In 1985, a scene from Christopher Coloumbus TV mini series was shoot there!

Cheers

Lee Ellis

Oct 24th 2009, 19:03

The real shock and something to be ashamed with is the rotting state of the architecture that made that cemetery one one of a kind. I have alot of relatives buried there but couldn't find any decent to get offended.

Miriam Ellul

Oct 24th 2009, 16:21

Il-filmat ta Venere ma rajtux ghalhekk ha nikkummenta biss fuq dan il-'clip' illi qieghed jidher hawn fuq. Personalment ma rajt xejn hazin fih ... l-anqas ismijiet ma jidhru biex forsi wiehed jghid illi nkisret il-privatezza ta' xi hadd! Bhala wahda illi ili naf lil Adrian hafna snin, minn mindu kien tifel zghir, u naf il-familja tieghu sew u kif trabba, nista' naccertakom illi ma kienx fl-intezzjoni tieghu illi jwegga' lil xi hadd jew li jabbuza bil-filmati .... zgur li mhuwhiex il-kaz! Adrian huwa artist u ried johloq xi haga gdida ... dak kollox. Hawn min, biex ikun originali u 'modern' idahhal il-kliem oxxen u l-hamallagg fit-'teleseriels' lokali. Jiena b'dawk inhossni ofiza! Allura l-poplu ma jhossux offiz b'dan kollu? U l-Awtorita' ma tarahomx dawn? Jiena personali aktar narah kaz ta ghira dan tal-photoshoot jew inkella ta xi hadd li m'ghandux biex jeheda!

R. Attard

Oct 24th 2009, 14:03

Incidentally it was the first time I watched this programme and I liked it. The end result was simply beautiful. These complaints show a lack of artistic appreciation and narrow mindedness. Better if we start respecting these beautiful places by taking care of them. Those who are dead need only our prayers, nothing else.

B Galea

Oct 24th 2009, 13:53

Outrage at naked mannequins, shock because of a cemetary photoshoot, horror at the distribution of condoms at university....ara vera pajjiz tal-mickey mouse! How about channelling some of the energy you use on moral outrage towards doing something POSITIVE for your country and society - petition the government on environmental issues, work towards creating a culture of accountability within Maltese politics....hell, even fundraising for better local sports facilities would be better than this rubbish!

Dr. Noel Calleja

Oct 24th 2009, 10:52

Although my profession leads me towards innovative ideas all the time in Marketing and Media, I must say that sych footage can hit sentiments and emotion which In my humble opinion should not be played with. When we were filming the film of The Phantom of the Opera and we were faced with a script of a cemitry scene, we had two options; or to go to the real cemitry on location or else build a set depicting such scene. We opted for the second so as not to offend any morality or emotions or sentiments. You may ask but you had the money to do it. Yes we did and if we didn’t we would not have done it as we live in a humanistic world! This is a shame most especially coming from the 'Public' broadcasting Services where it is funded by our own monies.

louis zammit

Oct 24th 2009, 01:59

i agree with D VELLA.....the worst thing in our cemetery is the way people are put in the grave and the way these guys are dressed...no respect to the family......if we are so saints that we cant accept people taking or making films than we should not accept in ceeing how UR LOVED ONES are treated at the very last moments of there life....may i ask why sometimes only 2 slabs are removed...3 usually is normal and the 4 th slab sometimes one cant open it cos of the monument one has......

Joe Xuereb

Oct 23rd 2009, 19:41

@ M Galea (10hours 18minutes ago). I can hardly get my head round what you said. You would be prepared to punch someone if you felt they had desecrated your family grave. And in the same breath you say 'you would take a swipe at them' for reminding you of your dear departed. Something does not add up there mate. Do you want to remember your dead or don't you?

It seems to me that at the root of all this hu-ha is the Maltese obsession with death and the afterlife. They can afford to indulge the macabre because there is no real end, you see. They cannot stomach a real end. So many end up embracing death to the extent that they live a living death. There is a similar mindset in the very Catholic Mexico where celebrations for and about the dead take on the appearance of a Carnival. I kid you not! It is such a contradiction. On the one hand there is the belief the departed lives and will be joined later. On the other hand one's passing often produces nothing short of hysterics. Aficionados of revival of old style horse-drawn hearses please note. Macabre indeed!

Anthony Farrugia

Oct 23rd 2009, 19:08

I thought the silly season had ended at the begining of September but in Malta we manage to keep it going all the year round.
Roll on Xarabank tonight where we will have the Seven Exorcists (Will it be like the Three Tenors?) and spinning heads, vomiting of green gooey stuff (Vide the Excorcist film/book). Now that is Gothic/neo Gothic Stuff).

E Galea

Oct 23rd 2009, 17:58

@ S.Cauchi & G. Micallef.....You have been so brave to point out and attack that it's neo gothic and not gothic, but you did not read the article well." All permissions were given to take photos/videos for this programme".. Something is telling me that your intentions are others.

G.Micallef

Oct 23rd 2009, 16:24

@ Mr Stanley Cauchi

Naqbel mieghek perfettament. Hekk hu.

mario cassar

Oct 23rd 2009, 13:03

Well done Adrian excellent photo shoot you're the envy of others!

Franco Rizzo

Oct 23rd 2009, 12:50

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32039397610#/photo_search.php?oid=32039397610&view=all

there are just 4 photographs.
Please tell me where and when has a grave has been desacrated...
It's as if the production house went to make a photoshoot of Dr Frankenstein gathering limbs for experiments...but in a very literal way

Stanley Cauchi

Oct 23rd 2009, 12:34

Sa fejn naf jien kif tidhol ic-cimiterju hemm nota li l-anqas ritratti ma tista tiehu, ahseb u ghara filmati bhall dawk. U ghal-informazzjoni tas-sur Mizzi l-istil tal-arkitettura tac-cimiterju ma huwiex Gotiku imma 'Neo Gotiku'.

E. Bugeja

Oct 23rd 2009, 11:40

I find the complaints ridiculous. I think the shoot is very artistic and is not in any way disrespectful to the people buried there. I actually think the production team has been very creative and are being fined for thinking outside the box - which in my personal opinion is absurd.

Joe Xuereb

Oct 23rd 2009, 10:40

Power to the people who show imagination (the shot in the arm that Malta needs) and I am sure show and recognise respect where it is due.
And now for an entirely objective view. The young model sitting on the steps - she is 'drop-dead-gorgeous' and her pins (legs) are 'to die for'. One could not get a more objective view than that. Because it is the view of a seasoned male homosexual. And the choice of words appraising the young woman are very much intended. Get over it.

Joe (a Maltese progressive in London UK).

guzexuereb@hotmail.com And do not abuse this e.mail. If you do, you will have me to reckon with. And then you'll really know what disrespect means.

Simon Christopher Scicluna

Oct 23rd 2009, 10:39

It's not like the dead are gonna get offeneded because of a silly photoshoot. Like they're gonna give a damn! Praise the artistic mind for it's originality as it's getting pretty rare on this island.

And just for the record, I have relatives buried there also...just incase someone decides to comment on insensitivity or lack of respect....

Doris Soler

Oct 23rd 2009, 10:25

Am I TIRED of having every dubious, probably vulgar, action on this island - whether it be naked mannequins in chains, or a model shoot in our main cemetery - arousing to fury the hoi polloi ! Any decent, worthy act is immediately shot down by our 'progressives' but any dubious act is at once hailed at pure genius, stuff which will raise the profile of our country no less and moans of how traditional, stick in the mud, OLD FASHIONED, has beens are HOLDING THIS COUNTRY BACK ! Oh, get a life, why don't you and - to use an old fashioned phrase - try raising the tone of your mind ! As PG Wodehouse wrote - making to do's about puerile issues like this 'neither amuse, interest or elevate '!

Tony Bonello

Oct 23rd 2009, 09:38

Whats wrong in it, are we living in the medieval times or what. Come on lets grow up in this hypocrite country. Adrian I support your cause and if you need any signatures I'll be the first to sign. What about the marmalja and the hamalagni in the local feast thats is accepted or what.

O. galea

Oct 23rd 2009, 09:37

the addolorata cemetary is gothic beauty at its best.
it needs all the publicity it can get... maybe somebody may find it in their heart to restore some of the magnificent monuments that are falling to pieces.

Philip Sultana

Oct 23rd 2009, 09:28

I only question the artistic director's taste in using a cemetery as a backdrop. If he needed a 'gothic' atmosphere, he could have shown the structures carefully leaving out the graves.

M Galea

Oct 23rd 2009, 08:49

I am all for art and expressing oneself but at the same same if I caught my family grave in one of those pictures/videos. Someone would have got a lecture and most definitly a smack! I dont need reminding about those I have lost.

Jesmond Micallef

Oct 22nd 2009, 22:06

During the month of November, this cemetry usually hits the headlines, otherwise it seldom does...........................coincidentally 1st of November is less then a couple of weeks away !!

Watching the short clip above I was abit taken about how candid these girls where. Thats the soft spot here, I think. Tartly clad girls are to be seen everywhere on the island !!! That's another story I guess..................!!!!

I do enjoy the progressive arts where new and sometimes controversial concepts are presented to the public. But then again, the public will let one know, .............................and that is part of the deal, I'm afraid !!!! It's how it goes............

A cemetry is a holy sacred place for us Maltese Roman Catholics, just like a church, so consideration please !!

Marton Saliba

Oct 22nd 2009, 22:02

Gothic photography is usually taken in cemeteries, It a dark alternative existence/mentality, which other puny humans will never understand.

Many people wanted to take a photoshoot ina cemetery for a very long time ni this country. Finally someone stood up and did!

Sacred, heh. A waste of land plot that's what it is in my opinion.

MBagley

Oct 22nd 2009, 21:39

Mmm....many of the commenters who have been taken aback say that they are offended because this is the place where their loved ones are resting.

WRONG. If these people are practising Roman Catholics,and they believe in the afterlife, then their relatives ARE NOT RESTING THERE. The dead have been reunited with their Creator, well, at least according to the RC faith.

Karl Schembri

Oct 22nd 2009, 20:58

I don't think they were posing naked ! So what's wrong ! Let's be more mature please !

Julian Fleri Soler

Oct 22nd 2009, 20:24

What i find to be extremely distasteful are the 'shocking' feelings expressed by some towards this feature... Art is diverse and in order to appreciate it one must be open minded. I also cannot fathom the fuss some people create over such trivial matters. Does anyone think that our loved ones buried there (including some family members of mine) give a toss on the matter? And if so, how do they know? Is it that these 'special ' people who expressed their horror at the photoshoot share some uncanny communication with the afterlife? We common mortals wonder... The pictures are neither offensive nor provocative by today's standards. Moreover the location is original, and the intention is noble: seeing beauty even close to death. I therefore find not the pictures distasteful but the narrow mindedness and misguided piety of certain people

J Mallia

Oct 22nd 2009, 20:22

Wara li qrajt il kummenti t'hawn taht jidher bic car illi hawn disgwit fl-opinijiet. Uhud attakaw lil Adrian, bhall fatta kien wahdu u bhall fatta ghamel xi dnub mejjet. Uhud minnhom jidher bic car li approfettaw irwiehhom mis sitwazzjoni u kienu attakki diretti lejh. Jien ili nsegwi ix xoghol tieghu f'din l-industrija ghal dan l-ahhar 10snin u barra min hekk nafu personalment u nhossni illi ghandi nikteb. Adrian gab dan is settur fuq skala professjonali u nternazzjonali. Bniedem illi kull fejn kien prezenti kien hemm PROFESSJONALITA' u zgur u mhux forsi ma kellu l-ebda hsieb illi joffendi il moralita ta xi hadd ghax barra min hekk huwa bniedem ta moralita' u kelma. Hadd qatt ma kiteb fuq dan il programm u l-livell gholi tieghu u ghax darba kien hemm min forsi hassu urtat inkitbu kliem u aggettivi illi zgur u mhux forsi m'humiex denji. Kullhadd ghandu dritt ghal opinjoni, pero dan ma jfissirx illi ghandna nattakkaw b'dan il mod. L-anqas nista nifhem fuq x'hiex dahlet l-awtorita tax xandir ( fuq taste) ?? it's a matter of opinion..u biex nighdu kollox jekk dan il post huwa opinjoni generali..hawn 61% favur jew ma jaraw xejn hazin f'din is-shoot u 39% biss kontra...

J.Smith

Oct 22nd 2009, 19:37

Watching and reading most of the comments reminds me of a serial..Madonna Tac Coqqa !!! the original version ....who knows why??? I can imagine that there are people who might have been offended..BUT these did not went on any graveyard !!! this is an important issue..because most of you are imagining models running around ..THIS IS NOT THE CASE.. I have been misled when I first saw the letter on times, but now that the facts are coming out I ask..Where is the "Charade" mentioned. Where are the half naked or women with lack of dresses????"

A. Debarro

Oct 22nd 2009, 19:26

I am more than sure that the production team, being a professional one did not have any intention to hurt anyone's feelings. Infact, they did not shoot on any graveyards. It's shown in the filming that they used the entrance and the stairs.No crosses are shown and no graveyards are touched or visible. The cemetry was closed at the time of shoot(i could note it because it was almost sunset) and all permits were issued. Where did they go wrong? After all I have followed mostly ALL programmes of Venere and they NEVER did anything of Bad Taste..even if most of you who are pointing fingers at these people noone, including myself, ever wrote to compliment this programme for being One of the most ( if not the best) lifestyle programme on local TV . BA ..was all this fuss done because the letter was written by who we all NOW know who he is?? And if permits were issued...what are the B.A accusations for ??can someone tell us please??

Joe Grima

Oct 22nd 2009, 19:20

@j Farrugia. Bhala ntervistatur ta hamsin sena esperjenza u fuqhom nista niggarantixxi li min jipprersonalizza l-argument ikollu mohh mhiux ikbar minn dak ta nemusa u mhux ta min jikkuntlarjah. Li se nghid ghal dawk li ghandhom mohhom miftuh u tolleranti. Jien il programm fuq il PBS ma rajtux ghax jien fuq il PBS ma nara xejn hlief l-ahbarijiet ( ghax nara ta kulhadd) u Dissett. Ma nahsibx li fix-xena tac cimiterju urew xi tfajliet jiddesakraw l-oqbra. Jien fhimt li c-cimterju kien biss backdrop li nghazlet mill producers ghall istil gotiku tal arkitettura. Iktar ma nikber iktar nammira lil min hu innovattiv u li ma jsegwix in norma imma li jaqbaq toroq godda ghal rasu u jimxi fuqhom. Sfortunatament min ikun hekk ikollu jikkumbatti kontra hafna bhal uhud li oggezzjaonaw f''din il kolonna. Xorta da li jkun ghandu jibqa jipprova jisfronda l-fruntieri tal intolleranza konservattiva f'pajjizna forsi xi darba nharsu lejn l-Ewropa u f'xi haga nkunu nistghu nghidu li nixxiebhu.

JL Micallef

Oct 22nd 2009, 18:57

what about the maltese soap operas and the local teleseries that had parts filmed in the cemetry?? Weren't they being respectful?

I think it's more the authorities that are deing disrespectful to the place because most of it is falling to pieces, most parts look shabby and neglected and the perimter fences are not doing their intended job!

P. Mizzi

Oct 22nd 2009, 18:47

In my opinion this is a lot of fuss about nothing because someone (influential) took offence and wrote a letter to The Times. Reading the comments below you find many different views which are representative of our modern democracy.

What is not right is that PBS gets fined as a result. Even if they are just let off with a warning this time, with all this fuss next time they will be more even cautious to avoid problems, stifling creativity in the process. Creativity is exactly what our TV needs!! mela more talking heads??

Joe Xuereb

Oct 22nd 2009, 18:25

All this is, of course, academic. In a few years time cemetries will be redundant. We will be cremated. Malta will, of course, resist. Because the body is not dead. It is in transtion. And it was loved so much. All this reminds me of Pharaonic mummification. Thousands of years ago. But this is Malta 2009 I hear you say. No matter dear. Malta is special. It does not take risks with people's sentiments, traditions, nostalgia. When the cremation beckons, as it must, production teams wanting a Gothic backdrop will have to use that ugliness near Sarria or build one of cardboard and balsa wood, a` la Pop-Eye Village. See you then my little progressive chickadees.

Stanley Agius

Oct 22nd 2009, 18:20

I'd like to urge anyone to watch the programme before commenting as most often a totally wrong impression of what actually happened is given. One can view the contested photos by Bernard Polidano on the group "Venere on TVM" on Facebook. Whilst reiterating our apologies towards whoever felt upset, we'd regret it if the Maltese creative community's work is hindered by sometimes unfounded criticism.

Stanley Agius

Oct 22nd 2009, 18:19

Of course, I agree with a number who stated that a cemetery is and should be sacred. It definitely is sacred and a number of persons on Venere's team also have relatives buried there. Hence again, showing disrespect, was the last of our intentions. We treated this place as sacred and with respect throughout the whole duration of the shoot.

We mostly used architectural elements of the neo-gothic as a backdrop and the tombstones were almost never shown. During the programme we tried to highlight the value of such unique architectural design and encouraged the public to appreciate it. In hindsight, if people just read what is being said without having watched the programme, I can understand why a few can describe it as "bad taste". All people I spoke with, after watching the programme, did not share that opinion. It is obviously a subjective matter and no one can be absolutely right or wrong. We need to appreciate the opinion of those who disagree with us and maybe they need to appreciate our right to show our work.

Stanley Agius

Oct 22nd 2009, 18:19

I am part of the production house motion blur. We are co-producers of Venere, together with Unique Promotions, and I was actually filming in the cemetery. I was actually amazed and disappointed at some reactions below. It was surely never our intention to, in any way, insult, shock or demean anyone or any place. Thus, we wish to offer our apologies to whoever felt insulted.

We chose to have the shoot there because it is one of the very few places in Malta where you can find neo-gothic architecture and the only one which gave various options for a photo shoot. The authorities collaborated with us and issued a permit as is usual practice. We had already filmed there prior to this episode, we had shot a scene for a short film. This film was shown on TVM as well.

Alfred Camilleri

Oct 22nd 2009, 17:44

Reading some of the comments appearing on line, one imagines that we are not living in a EU country but in Afghanistan under the Talibans or fundamentalist Saudi Arabia.

Have the people who are objecting to the photo shoot never visited the Addollorata on All Souls Day or Sundays in November? One finds a veritable picnic going on there, from the time the cemetery opens until closing time in late afternoon.. The Maltese, who, as is their wont, indulge in eating and drinking wherever they gather, will be found gorging themselves on the pastizzi, mqaret, hot dogs and soft drinks (even not so soft ones), found for sale in the parking lot in front of the cemetery. Sacred ground? the Dead? Oh, get lost. We are here to eat and make merry. Apparently no one seems to bother that AC is turned into a picnic field every November. It is only when fashion photo shoots are staged there that the dead are disturbed and offended.

Entities are now being brought to book because some people feel offended. Look out pastizzi vendors, come November it will be your turn to be arraigned for causing 'desecration of holy ground'

Sharon Aquilina

Oct 22nd 2009, 17:10

Fo me a drama with bad filming and bad actors should be regarded as bad taste, but would I have a right to stop it??

As all of you said, it's a matter of opinion, that is why we live in a democracy.
But who said that your opinion is better than mine
Thus is does not make sense that the producers were accused by the BA for the simple reason that "bad taste" cannot be defined by law

Unless there is a law which clearly states that filming in a cemetry is immoral and regarded as bad taste, your opinion will simply stay that way...an opinion!!!

Pablo Micallef

Oct 22nd 2009, 16:30

what's wrong with staging a photo shoot in a cemetery? This is not the first time that Addolorata was chosen as a location for shooting even horror / crime scenes. In this case, the producers chose a popular gothic backdrop for their shoot. Come on Malta. GROW UP!! this was no satanic mass ! Why all this fuss !
I never expected a different reaction from conservative BA !

M.Darmanin

Oct 22nd 2009, 16:27

i am very disappointed, this is an embarrising thing to do. We don`t care of the artistic views of other people we care of our religious values and beliefs. How on earth you set up a fashion show in a cemetry, this is shameful. From my artistic point of view it is true that the cemetry by Galizia is impressive in its architetonic style considering its significance as an art piece of the 19th century Maltese art. The authorities should control these materialistic things from happening which are disrespecting our values.

N.B. The cemetry needs an urgent restoration so authorities act promptly.

Andrew Gatt

Oct 22nd 2009, 15:54

@ the complainers and naggers.............If any of you so-shocked-marelli-holier-than-thou's want to see some REAL disrespect, just attend a funeral at the Adolorata and observe the way the dead are treated on their final journey.

Shabby, insensitive and rough to say the least.

As for the photoshoot, grow up and get off your saintly high horses. SO WHAT if the gothic setting was used in a gothic theme? The dead must be spinning in their graves - laughing! They sure don't care.

jnevillebejer

Oct 22nd 2009, 15:52

The cemetry is were we show respect for our beloved ones is not for money making shootouts. The surprising bit is that an artistic director did not foresee such reaction. Good publicity for an artistc producer immagination indeed.
The others who play cool and evolved and expected otherwise 'because we are in backward Malta' should first prove us wrong by doing such shootouts in other countries. Go on show us your guts and pose in some British military memorial cemetry or 11/11 in New York.. Or are they not evolved that much for you? Why not try Iran or Syria then.

Joe Xuereb

Oct 22nd 2009, 15:24

The production could have taken place at Ta' Braxia where I believe there is some Gothic architecture. There are crosses but......No Maltese buried there presumably so it is not so sacred.
Better still, the Turkish Cemetry - definitely devoid of crosses there - could have been used but with a different theme. Again, certainly not sacred.
The Addolorata Gothic is magnificent but alien to Malta, a blot on the landscape (but crosses aplenty). Not unlike that other pastiche next to Sarria in Floriana. They sit uneasily with our vernacular. Or that other horror on South Street, Valletta. Other examples abound no doubt. Why is it that in Malta we can never see the wood for the trees? We sweat so on small matters when others are pressing. We have to label things, rendering them 'untouchables'. We entrap ourselves. People give and receive respect when they are alive. When they are dead, they are dead. Bouquets of flowers, the money for, can go to charity. Now that is what I would call respect (for life). The dead are dead. Not to be used as pawns.

Joe E Galea

Oct 22nd 2009, 15:11

The shooting took place at the cemetry as the models are definitely 2 ressurrected chicks like those in the movie: The Return of the LIving Dead!!!.....lol

JC Gatt

Oct 22nd 2009, 15:05

Is “Bad Taste” defined somewhere specifically? Seriously is it? Or is it subject to opinion?

Because if it’s subject to opinion I would ask the broadcasting watch dog to chew some bone…
How can one decide about taste...

I think Picasso is bad taste he he.. Sue me!

clive borg

Oct 22nd 2009, 15:00

i'm finding one point interesting ... the most of you are saying that its a SACRED PLACE - i bet thats all of the island is sacred except its people cos if you do something your always against the rules, hadd ma jidej, hlief qtil u serq ma tarax... find something better and leave creative people live..

hi joe : have you ever taken a photo of a church, no its sacred i cannot!

bla bla bla thats what you are saying ... i bet they won't even take photos during a weding cos its a sacred place!

J Farrugia

Oct 22nd 2009, 14:38

Joe Grima x'tahseb kieku kelli noffendi l-qima ta' missierek u noqghod nipposa fuq il-qabar tieghu? Ikollok ragun illi toffendini ghax hekk ikun haqqni, jekk fadallek ftit moralita'; u mela tigi bl-iskuza ta' progressivi jew konservattivi?? Il-qziez huwa qziez anke jekk isir mill-media u minn dan ghandna hafna. Li ma tridx lilek tixtiequx lill-ghajrek jghidli missieri.

David Barks

Oct 22nd 2009, 14:33

I think most of TVM programs suck… reason why is in the posts below.

Most of the people here are happy with the “pizza al tnejn” programs.

In Malta you are ages behind, at least you pretend to be…

M Vella

Oct 22nd 2009, 14:26

Without going into the artistic merits.. just another controversy to show how backwards we are. I'm more worried how waste from this very same cemetry is actually handled mela l-photoshoot!

Ray Mangion

Oct 22nd 2009, 14:20

I got married in the UK and the old church had a cemetry all around it, like many churches in the UK. We had photographs inside and outside the church surrounded by graves including the ones we walked over along the inside of the church. Was I then disrespectful to the dead? I pity those who make such fuss. Life is here and now and not six feet underground. Our souls move on and they are with God and some still hanging around us, protecting us. That is how I think of my father and my dear sister, instead of a shrivelled up corpse that served its purpose on this earth. Be happy and accept that life goes on. Cemetries are no consecrated grounds. I have seen other dead relatives and the way they were removed and put in a sack when my father was buried. That is disrespectful if you believe in the body and not the soul.

Joe Grima

Oct 22nd 2009, 14:04

Creativity in Malta is alive and kicking but conservative forces kick back with greater strength. Did anyone expect the Broadcasting Authority to fall on the side of innovation, thinking and acting outside the box? Not while its head is steadfastly buried in sand and its plumed bottom massaged by conservative, no-passeran, elements.

grace cassar

Oct 22nd 2009, 14:00

This is a resting place and not a carvinal venue. It means alot to alot of people. Go and do your stuff somewhere else.

erica borg

Oct 22nd 2009, 13:58

I cant understand what all the fuss is about. Do you really think that the people buried are going to get offended. I think it pretty much gives life to a 'lifeless' place.
Will we ever stop being so close minded about everything !!

D Vella

Oct 22nd 2009, 13:44

If people are so sensitive why don't they object to the way bodies are dumped in to the tomb at each and every burial?.Now that is really obscene

I saw nothing wrong with this shoot ,but I do see something very wrong and silly with people who are complaining about it.

Just in case anyone is wondering I have my mother,aunts,uncles,cousins and grandparents and friends buried at Ta Addolorata.

Lawrence Mifsud

Oct 22nd 2009, 13:13

What I strongly object to, is the profane way that burials take place!!!

There have been many letters of protest from disgusted, to say the least, people whose deceased family members were almost literally thrown down the pit.

How about that for desecration of a cemetery?

Joe Xuereb

Oct 22nd 2009, 13:02

Of course in life one sets up oneself to fail by labelling things. Calling a cemetery sacred ground for instance. Why sacred? Because people are buried there? And the buried aren't really dead, right? Because their soul lives on, hopefully in Heaven. All labels of course. For all I know the photo-shoot was done on my family's burial ground. See if I care. I don't know where this ground is. Never visited. Respect/love happens in life. When people die, they're dead. I know people who regularly visit graves with flowers and paraphernalia. Often weeping over what could have been. Often praying that soon they will join the dead. Macabre or what? Spare us (and yourselves, with due respect) the sentiments, often misconstrued, often put on, often unwarranted, often mere cultural ritual.
There are cemetries abroad. They're visited by the mourners as expected. But also as walk-through, or cycle-throughs. And certainly as places of calm and tranquillity for a good read among the tombstones or feeding the squirrels. And meditation naturally. Nothing macabre. Nothing sacred. Just Pierre Lachaise (in Paris, a tourist attraction). To remember the famous who left a mark on the planet. Like Edith Piaf. And Wild Oscar.

Mario Farrugia

Oct 22nd 2009, 13:01

"L-istil meraviljuz ta' l-arti Gotika li ghandu dan ic-cimiterju"....
What absolute rubbish!!
If that was his aim, then why not simply create a short documentary about the ARCHITECTURE itself?? What have these ridiculously-clad young women have to do with all that??
Bad taste? Of course it's all in bad taste!! If that is not bad taste, I shudder to think what bad taste really means to these "progressive" young people! Respect is the key word here... and this photo shoot showed a complete lack of it!

ABORG

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:59

Art? you are an insult to art then.....it's a question of being ridiculous...

edwin formosa

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:58

"What we find difficult to accept is narrow-mindedness and useless complaints from people who did not even see the programme or the photos." I didn't see the programme but I just saw the clip. You might call me narrow-minded Mr Mizzi just as I might call you the equivalent to something well below artistic. It's beside the point how much you succeeded to illustrate the balance between life and death using gothic architecture+ xi gbara jew tnejn . Yes I was shocked, hurt and above all offended with this poor artistic nonsense. Besides one can follow how liberals abroad are using anything and everything , besides media and politics, in order to promote their agenda.

Charles Muscat

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:57

A very bad taste I hardly believe in anything but in this case Malta is trying to impress.
Has Malta forgotten the wafer they swallow in the morning? For that matter how about some nudies.

ian Christie

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:41

A message to all the poeple who get so offended but it seems everything nowadays: GET A LIFE. Life is too short to be taken so seriously. I'm amazed at the lack of a sense of humor and open mindedness on this little country. From ppl feeling offended every time a condom is mentioned , to others who are afraid their moral fiber will be destroyed if they glimpse a naked breast on a beach to the bishop on crusade to stop youths dressing up as Jesus.
Nowadays you have to treat every subject with velvet gloves because you are bound to offend someone ore an other.
I wish I could rant on but I'm off to have a good laugh somewhere.

Joe A Vella

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:40

In my opinion Venere is being innovative and creative, I have seen the show several times and honestly i think Motionblur and the Venere Team are being punished for thinking differently!

John Micallef

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:16

Ara vera hawn min mghandux x'jghamel!!

Darba intuzaw ritratti tac-cimiterju ghal Kalendarju li jitqassam fil-bidu tas-sena. Dak awguri ta sahha ghas-sena li jmiss!!

ABORG

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:15

it was of bad taste....admit it and learn from the past!

Godfrey Camilleri

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:14

Please do not show us this RUBBISH again!!

Mary V' Galea

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:07

It was too macabre an idea anyway. I wouldn't like my fashion from a cemetery.

Emmanuel Caruana

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:04

I would like to start by saying that this place is a place where one goes there to pray or visit their loved once who passed away. The feelings about this place are mixed from different people. So I can understand that Adrian Mizzi does not see anything wrong but on the other hand I expect that this should be reciprocated by Adrian and he understands that I see it wrong and bad taste. There are so many places to use why should one chose the cemetery. The fact that it was mentioned that there are a number of television serious that uses the cemetery as their backdrop, I still feel it is bad and sometimes I will be sitting down trying to relax and when I see a scene like this it just puts me down as I start thinking of my Dad who passed away 14 months ago.
I am shocked not because there were female models but because the cemetery was not used for its purpose.

Mark Vella

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:01

I have seen the program, just a photo shoot nothing bad about it.

MARIO BUSUTTIL

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:46

With all respect there are lot of places where to shoot,,,but not in a SACRED PLACE my friend where our beloved ones are resting in peace...

Joe Micallef

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:44

X' arukza, tal-Misthija!!!

Arukaza ukoll ghal TVM li accetta li jintwera dak il-programm! Huma tant fitti il-PBS biex jaccettaw il-programmi u accettaw dik il-pastazata. Venere programm sabih hafna pero il-veru waqajtu fil-Baxx!

Qadt ma qbilt ma l-Awtrorita tax-Xandir pero fuq din nghidilkom PROSIT.

G.Micallef

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:44

Mr Mizzi said he was "very surprised" by reactions from the people who were offended, shocked or hurt by the programme.

I am VERY SURPRISED by the reactions of Mr Mizzi!!!

G.Micallef

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:41

In the first place this photo shoot should have NEVER taken place within the precincts of Santa Maria Adolorata Cemetery! This is a sacred place and it does not hold that photo shoots of any promotional or specatacular nature be taken there. It is very insensitive even to think of doing it let alone of actualizing the idea!

Did the Production House have the permission of the Government Authorities for this photo shoot to take place?

Shaun.M. O'Dell

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:23

Yet another typical Maltese mentality, No sence of humour but plenty of scope. Lets put it this way if any of my relatives are resting there God Bless them, i would be offended wouldn't you? Had this been in Britain i would say it would be in a bad taste all round.

clive borg

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:23

In which way do you dis-respect the buried persons, when you take a photoshoot inside a cemetery, should we also ban taking videos and photographs during a funeral too, when an accident happens..

I dont know but this island is coming crazy... all we can do is sit down and do nothing!

And how this island can improve and move forward in everything, cos when something original is done there are someone who comes into its opposition..

Franco Farrugia

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:22

I wasn t offended. I just think that a cemetery that is still being used today is no place for fashion photo-shoots.
It makes no difference what gender the actors are or were.
'No difficulty from the management to get the necessary permit.' I would here raise my eyebrows and wonder out aloud as to who is managing the Addolorata!
'"The dead are far beyond caring about anything." ...... well, we, who are left behind for a whil, are not. Especially those of us who believe in good manners and good taste! We have reached a stage whereby everything goes and that we let each other get away with murder .... as long as we are not affected by the misdemeanours of others.

Joanne Micallef

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:22

Personally I think it's more disrespectful to see the way the place is falling to pieces after being neglected for so long. I saw the shoot when it was aired and found nothing disrespectful as the models where very much covered and made no obscene poses.

Ivan Falzon

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:20

Miskina Malta..... mur gib the maltese version of Le Iene mela

Anthony Roberts

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:18

The dead may not care about what is going on at the cemetery but the bereaved would not want to this kind of thing going on. I can't believe that anyone was 'surprised' at the reaction they got when 'shocked' would be more appropriate. It is a sign of disrespect to the loved one's who lied buried there as well as a total disrespect to the bereaved.