New film 'inspired' by Simshar tragedy

Kukumajsa Productions Ltd is starting the shooting of the film 'Simshar', a fiction story inspired by the tragedy which struck a Maltese fishing boat of the same name in 2008.

Written by Rebecca Cremona and David Grech and directed by Rebecca Cremona  'Simshar' will be a feature-length fiction film and not a documentary, the producers said.

"The project is a precedent for the indigenous film industry and showcases our island's abundant talent as well as its rich culture. This film is as much about the culture and traditions of Maltese people, as it is about the triumph of the will to persevere."

‘Simshar’ tells the story of a Maltese fishing boat which blows up leaving its crew stranded in open water…

Also in the Mediterranean, a medic is kept hostage on a vessel harbouring rescued African migrants, which Malta and Italy refuse access to…

The stories unravel in parallel and culminate in tragedy when the fishermen are spotted but not rescued, being mistaken for African boat people.

In 2008 Simon Bugeja was rescued, barely alive, after his fishing boat Simshar blew up in mysterious circumstances seven days previously. His father Karmenu, 61, Noel Carabott, 33, Somali Abdulrahman Abdala Gedi, 21 and Simon Bugeja's 11-year-old son Theo perished at sea.

In the film Lotfi Abdelli plays ‘Simon’. He is known for his roles in film and television, which have garnered recognition and awards worldwide. Some of his awards include: Best Actor in a Narrative Feature Tribeca Film Festival 2007, Prix de la meilleure interpretation masculine Journées Cinématographique de Carthage 2006, Prix de meilleur acteur masculin Festival internationale  de Muscat 2008, Prix du meilleur comédien FIFA 2007, Festival internationale du film d'amour Mons 2007, Prix de la meilleur interprétation masculine FESPACO  du Burkina 2007, Mention special, Festival international du cinéma méditerranéen de Tatouan 2007, Prix de meilleur interprétation  masculine Taormina Film Festival 2007, Major Actor  Mostra de Valencia du Cinéma 2007, Best Actor Award  Asian & Arab Competition  New Delhi 2007

Other cast members include: Sekouba Doucoure as Moussa, Jimi Busuttil as Karmenu, Pierre Stafrace as Pawlu, and  Adrian Farrugia as Theo.

http://www.simsharthefilm.com/site.html

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080722/local/simshar-caught-fire-rescuers-report.217727