Background work is taking place on the design of a film set at Gozo’s picturesque Mġarr ix-Xini for a major movie to be directed by Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie.

Physical work on the set will start soon, sources told Times of Malta yesterday.

The movie is expected to be filmed during the latter part of August and a number of foreign film-stage designers acting on Ms Jolie’s behalf are already residing in Gozo.

Speaking during a business breakfast yesterday, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat confirmed a Times of Malta story that Ms Jolie will be shooting her movie here in the summer.

“This film will be a very good advert for Malta and especially for Gozo,” he said.

“It will be seen by so many people around the world when it will be out next year and is a very important thing for Gozo.”

He countered speculation that the bay will not be available for swimming this year.

The authorities would be making sure that as much as possible, the bay will be kept open to families for bathing: it would only be unavailable for a few days during filming, he said.

The Hollywood diva, one of the world’s most influential celebrities, was in Malta with her partner, Brad Pitt, a few weeks ago when they were seen scouting the area of Mġarr ix-Xini and Ta’ Ċenċ.

No details have yet been released about the film, which is expected to have a multi-million-dollar budget but not a large cast. There is speculation that it will be the story of Cleopatra.

The film is also expected to leave its mark on the Gozitan economy in generating direct and indirect work for many, particularly in the hospitality industry.

Known as Brangelina, the famous Hollywood couple were in Malta in 2011 when Mr Pitt was filming the zombie movie World War Z.

The couple have six children.

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