Reg Traviss with Amy Winehouse. Photo: Getty Images

British film director Reg Traviss feels very at home in Malta. As we chat over coffee, he regales me with stories from happy childhood summers spent by the sea, splashing around with his cousins in one bay or another.

“They’re very lovely memories,” he says with a smile. “For some reason I vividly remember the colours of the era – the white sand, blue sea and even the beige uniforms that the policemen would wear. They don’t seem to do that anymore.”

A couple of decades after these memories were forged, Traviss is now a respected film director. His first feature film, Joy Division, was a war drama released in 2006 that told the story of a teenage orphan fighting against the Red Army.

More recently, his 2011 film, Screwed, was a semi-biographical script based on the experiences of former prison guard Ronnie Thompson, who spent seven years working in some of the UK’s most dangerous prisons. Both received mostly good feedback from critics and audiences alike.

Now, Traviss’ latest film, Anti-Social, seems to be his most popular yet. It was released earlier this year in the UK and the director already has plans for a local launch later this year.

“As with some of my previous films, I think Anti-Social is quite dark,” he says. “I am primarily inspired by real people and their stories and that’s what drew me to this particular film. I loved the rebelliousness and banditry of the characters.”

While he was writing Anti-Social, Traviss was also working on a potential future project that’s set in Malta.

“I actually have two Maltese projects that I would like to make and am in serious discussions about bringing both to fruition. I met people from the film commission on my recent trip and hope to keep the ball rolling.”

Traviss says that his dream to make one particular Maltese film dates back to his childhood. “I was always spooked by Mdina when I was little!” he says. “I’ve kept an image of it in my mind for decades now and would love to develop that further.”

But, while that may be a pipe dream, the director is more advanced on another local idea –telling the story of a couple of Maltese men during World War II and later during the 1970s.

“It’s an idea that is close to my heart because of my mum and dad. Mum is Maltese and met my dad in London, where they have lived ever since. But they both spent lots of time here and I would like to incorporate their relationship with the island into my work in some way,” he says.

“I am also inspired by the many Maltese who moved away in the 1970s and 1980s – some to the UK, others to Australia or the US. I know a few people in that situation and, while they did stay abroad, they still have a huge connection to Malta and I think this island does draw you back. I would like to portray that.”

When it comes to something like Amy’s death, you never move on

Traviss also believes in Malta’s developing potential as a film location and used the island to shoot the last scene of Anti-Social.

“Malta, like a number of countries, doubles up really well,” he says. “I’ve used Hungary a lot, to emanate Germany, Russia and London and it was brilliant to find a place that was so versatile. In Anti-Social, Malta doubled up as the Middle East, but next time round I would like Malta to play Malta.

“That said, I do notice how much the island changes every time I come and how much more developed it’s getting. From a film perspective, it’s important to balance that as a lot of films will need open spaces. It’s important to preserve the island’s character as that’s what most directors will want to showcase.”

Traviss stresses that he is very proud of his Maltese heritage, partly because Malta itself is such a proud nation.

“The island stands unique from its neighbours,” he says. “Growing up in England I was often asked if I was fully English and I have always been happy to tell people that I am part Maltese. I have regularly explained about the Maltese people and the island’s history. Although I have travelled extensively in the region, I feel that the Maltese characteristic, or national character even, is unique and I am proud of that.”

In fact, Traviss believes his relationship with Malta has helped him at various stages in his life, including in the difficult weeks and months following the death of his fiancée Amy Winehouse in July 2011.

“Amy was such a loved public figure, which means her death has been public too and I have had to accept that. Even when she was alive I was careful not to involve her name in the context of my work, because that wouldn’t be fair to her or to me. But ifpeople ask about her I do answer, even though it’s still painful to talk about. I understand that because she was so admired... people still have questions.

“In many ways, film-making has helped me to move on. It’s such an all-consuming profession that, once you get started, it takes up every aspect of your life. Of course, when it comes to something like this – to Amy’s death – you never really move on. I am still close to Amy’s family and that helps. Malta has also been a very nice place to come to forget about everything – it has helped me.”

With that in mind, Traviss may even consider moving here at some point in the future. “Around 12 years ago I was quite set on it actually,” he recalls with a smile.

18451845“I wanted to live in Valletta – way before it was trendy. Now I can see myself being here more and more, even it’s just for half of the year at a time. When I come here I am very inspired. I get new ideas for scripts and projects.”

In the meantime, though, he is focused on Anti-Social and its ongoing releases.

“Later in the year I’ll definitely be back for the Maltese release and the special cinema run that it’s going to have here. I think it’s going to be an important stage in my working relationship with the island and I am looking forward to it. Who knows where it might lead?”