A British couple who planned to marry in Mġarr ix-Xini in October are disappointed to have been inadvertently elbowed out of the way by Angelina Jolie who will be shooting a major film in the picturesque area.
As excitement grows at the news that Mġarr ix-Xini in Gozo was chosen as the location for a major film to be directed by the Hollywood superstar, Maria Arpa has taken to the social media hoping her fervent plea to be allowed to go ahead with her wedding party at the scenic spot will reach the benevolent ears of Ms Jolie and her partner Brad Pitt.
The 53-year-old, who was born to Maltese parents who fled the country after World War II, planned to marry her partner David Ellis, 51, on October 4 and was crestfallen to discover they would have to abandon their wedding plans as the area will be closed off.
David and I do not cut quite the same dash as the glamorous couple
“The news that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are to film at Mġarr ix-Xini in Gozo was made public a couple of days ago but it has ruined my wedding plans, which is ironic given that they are filming a love story!” she wrote on Facebook.
Ms Arpa explained that the place was special to the couple, who had been planning the wedding since the beginning of the year.
“[A]t that time, the local council told us it would be okay so we made plans and have guests coming from overseas.
“Then, a few days ago, the local council announced to our caterer that the area would be closed and we can no longer have our wedding party there. We have been given three months notice.” She added that she was sure the Hollywood couple had no idea they had ruined their wedding plans but she would like them “to hear about this”.
“I would definitely want to know if my actions were unintentionally adversely impacting someone. And, I know David and I do not cut quite the same dash as the glamorous couple but we do feel a bit elbowed out of the way.”
The couple, who are partners in love and in business, run the Centre for Peaceful Solutions, a charity which offers mediation and mediation training for civil, commercial, workplace, family and community disputes.
Sannat mayor Philip Vella said that all permits were currently on hold as the local council did not yet know how long the area would be closed off for.
“Everything is on hold as we don’t know the exact dates. We’re also not giving permits to people who would like to hold barbecues in the area.
“Additionally, all the firework displays in Gozo are fired from Mġarr ix-Xini so we might need to locate an alternative spot. But there is still the possibility that the couple might be able to hold their wedding in Mġarr ix-Xini after all. It all depends on the dates.”