The docudrama The Shipwreck was recently launched at the headquarters of the Ċentru Animazzjoni u Komunikazzjoni (ĊAK) Malta.

This docudrama narrates the story of the shipwreck of St Paul in Malta and how his three-month sojourn on the island changed its history forever.

The 35-minute long film combines computer-generated scenes and live action with Henry Zammit Cordina starring as St Paul. I met up with Paul Darmanin, the producer of the docudrama and ĊAK director.

Darmanin says the inspiration for the project came in 2007 when the organisation was preparing for the Pauline Year that Pope Benedict XVI had announced for 2008.

“We observed that the Maltese tourism completely lacks the story of the origins of the Maltese Catholic faith.”

“We celebrate many eras and important moments in our history but we barely talk about the origins of the Catholic faith which is reflected in almost all our historical events, places and artefacts. Furthermore, Malta is mentioned in the Holy Scripture and I think this is quite an important issue to point out.”

This sowed the seeds of the idea of creating an attraction centred on the shipwreck and St Paul’s stay in Malta.

“The idea was always clear in our minds,” he says, “but we first began planning for a diorama and a walk-through of a set specially constructed to recreate the era. Years later the idea was developed into a more feasible venture and so began the process of research on the docudrama we have today.”

The production team got to work, attempting to source financing from EU Funds for Sustainable Tourism projects. Darmanin says that for one reason or another ĊAK missed out on three separate calls for funds. And yet, “months later, out of the blue, came a fourth call for these funds and we thought this could be our moment, and so it was”.

The film invites the audience to fully immerse themselves

The process from inception to completion was a long one, almost eight years, Darmanin says.

“The last two years were the most intense ones since we were working day and night on the film, including, finally, the filming phase, shot in Malta with Maltese actors during March and April last year at the Mediterranean Film Studios.”

He says that this was an extraordinary experience since most of the film was shot in a green screen studio and therefore all the backdrops and locations of the film – except those featuring Malta in the present day – are computer-generated.

The film is also unique because it is a 4K production (referring to the horizontal resolution of the images of 4,000 pixels, which is the domin- ant standard in digital cinema).

The film is projected on a 13-metre wide screen which offers 120° viewing, inviting the audience to fully immerse themselves in the story unfolding before them thanks to the spectacular images and high quality sound.

As to its subject, St Paul is very much revered on the island and The Shipwreck should enhance the Pauline ‘cult’ in Malta.

Darmanin adds that this is a docudrama which should interest both Maltese and tourists. Although it narrates the well-documented journey St Paul endured on his way to Malta from Crete, the shipwreck that brought him here and his interaction with the Maltese people and Publius, the ‘prince’ of the island, the film also offers some little-known details about the events.

As for tourists, Darmanin observes that “this could be an interesting stop on their visit to learn more about Maltese history and the roots of the islands’ Catholic faith while enjoying a truly cinematic experience.”

He says that the tourism policy speaks specifically of the Pauline trail in Malta and also encourages low-seasonal tourism in the months when Malta celebrates its only winter feast –the Shipwreck of St Paul.

“This project will be the missing link in the chain that connects all the places in Malta related to St Paul’s arrival and permanence. This can be a pilgrimage itinerary. With this project an important part of Malta’s history will finally see the light.”

The Shipwreck is produced by ĊAK, directed by Massimo My and co-funded by the EU Funds for Sustainable Tourism. The show can be viewed in Maltese, English, Italian, Spanish, French and German at ĊAK’s all-access premises in Birkirkara.

www.theshipwreckmalta.com