Waylon Johnston
Valletta cinema owner accused of screening hardcore porn films
The owner of the City Lights cinema in Valletta was yesterday again charged with screening hardcore films after the police last year seized over 5,000 movies from the same premises.
Police Inspector James Grech said that when officers raided the cinema last August, one of them noticed the owner of the place, 68-year-old Alexander Baldacchino, of Valletta, flick a switch connected to two video players. In one of the players they found a soft porn film and in the other was a hardcore film entitled Lust Connection.
Mr Baldacchino, accompanied by the police, went into the screening hall but no film was showing despite the fact there were about 10 people seated.
Mr Baldacchino yesterday denied distributing pornographic films, operating the cinema without a licence, using a projector to screen videos without a licence and using cinematic equipment without a licence.
The cinema is situated round the corner from the court house.
The previous case against Mr Baldacchino, also about the alleged screening of porn, is still pending.
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11 Comments
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Karl Consiglio
Jan 29th 2011, 11:43
What if he was showing porn off the internet, is that ok? You got to be a really bad lawyer not to get him out of this one.
Stefan Kottmann-Soler
Jan 29th 2011, 10:22
Without going into the merits if whether we should or should not charge establishments for screening porn, or whether the laws should be changed, I ask one question. Why is it that all the authorities had to do in this case was to enter the cinema and see what was going on, and charge the owner accordingly, and in the case of hotels, investigations are still ongoing. I mean, can't undercover agents just book a few hotel rooms and switch on the TV? Are two different yardsticks being used, simply because 'dak is-City Lights' and hotels are a pillar of our economy? Because if that is so, this is an injustice.
Joseph Vassallo
Jan 27th 2011, 21:00
Husband: "Can I change the tv channel? Why are you watching this cookery programme anyway? you're no good at cooking.
Wife: "You watch porn, don't you?
My question: Are people who watch porn, admitting to low self-esteem in that department?
GiovDeMartino
Jan 27th 2011, 17:40
The screening of porn films has been going on for some 20 years. Better late than never.
Les Thomas
Jan 27th 2011, 18:18
Anyone can watch porn movies on satellite or their computer in the privacy of their own home, but just like anything else you see one and you seen the lot,... after a while its bloody well boring, best to go down your local for a pint or better still get involved in your local church activities, i remember reading a long time ago that Sweden was the first country to stop with showing porn movies, for the same reason, too much of a good thing, GOES HAND IN HAND WITH TOO MUCH MONEY IN THE POCKET........so whats next when you had a taste of everything maybe 6' under just like most of the foreign pop singers. Sex/ Drugs & Rock'n'Roll.
Bernard Farrugia
Jan 27th 2011, 19:35
There is no answer to that Mr.Thomas, as you say too much of a good thing gets rather boring after a while, and when one seen the lot so whats next? maybe a good meal and a good night out with the boys or the family would be nice, as for watching porn or looking at the women thinking they are god's gift to men, thats a thing of the past.
Karl Consiglio
Jan 27th 2011, 16:28
But its legal to have friends come over to watch porn with you on the internet. Hypocrites!
P.Borg
Jan 27th 2011, 15:45
Why exactly do you need a license to operate a cinema??
Sebastian Attard
Jan 27th 2011, 12:06
and what is wrong in having a cinema like that?
Just install security measurements not to allow under aged watching, and the problem is solved.
Are they going to arrest 3/4 of the Maltese population for watching porn at home as well?
If I can go and hire a hardcore movie, why can't I go and watch one at the cinema?
Ramon Casha
Jan 27th 2011, 10:49
Interestingly, this is the oldest established cinema in Malta.
Bertie Dowlings Can.tourist
Jan 27th 2011, 12:17
Malta throught out the dark ages and guess what? still is. Adults are responsible for their own actions as adults without hindering the third party or members of the public.., its is called Freedom in a free and a democratic country in ( Europe?) not so sure. Remember mortals are dead for a long time. Bertie Dowlings Canadian tourist