Dubbed the first ever romantic comedy produced in Malta, 20,000 Reasons is currently showing in cinemas. Paula Fleri-Soler speaks with lead actress Maria Pia Meli.
Written by Malcolm Galea and directed by Jameson Cucciardi, the cast of 20,000 Reasons includes actress Maria Pia Meli as Sophie Bellizzi, described as a no-nonsense and hardworking perfectionist who stands to lose her inheritance unless she gets married before her 30th birthday… which is in three months’ time.
It is clear from the outset that 20,000 Reasons’ Sophie is an intelligent, funny and independent woman. Yet, that independence is smothered somewhat by her relationship with her fiancé Jonathan (played by Steffan Cheriet Busuttil). It is a situation that is sadly still too common today – does the film succeed in using comedy to tackle this?
“I think the film successfully manages to capture this situation both through comedy as well as by employing a certain sensitivity, so I commend both Jameson and Malcolm,” says Maria Pia, as she muses on the still-existing prevalence even today of social pressure for people to couple up, get married, settle down and reproduce.
Romantic scenes are set in contexts that the audience will clearly identify with
“As a result, all too often people end staying in a relationship without even knowing why, losing their independence and self-awareness along the way. Despite bring entirely hilarious, this film successfully exposes this reality and the harm such pressure causes, which is a factor that instantly drew me to the script. It is immediately quite clear that anything Sophie and Jonathan might have once shared or had in common no longer exists, and Sophie, is at a point where she has to face a decision that will impact her love life, her career and most importantly, her self-determination.”
Maria Pia explains that she is naturally attracted to isolated, headstrong characters. Sophie is all of this and more, and she struggles to escape the grip her upper/middle-class privilege has given her, as embodied by her domineering grandmother. Throughout the film we see to what lengths she is ready to go in order to preserve her independence.
Maria Pia Meli“The mere fact that Sophie is not ready to live her life according to social diktats or pressure was enough to win me over,” the actress continues. “It is certainly a nuanced portrayal of womanhood. Sophie doesn’t live up to any of the female tropes traditionally employed in film. She doesn’t dream of marriage, but is sensitive and can be romantic; she is smart, successful and focused on her career but is not an ‘ice queen’ who does not feel things either. She is fierce, sweet, resourceful, funny and smart. These characteristics are what make her human as well as admirable. Ultimately, she will hopefully show women that there is a choice and that there is not only one predetermined way to live one’s life.”
Do Sophie and Maria Pia share any characteristics, I ask? “One of my best friends told me she does,” she exclaims with a laugh. “Like Sophie, I value my independence immensely and always have. I am also ready to fight for what I value. Like her, I’m a bookworm and like to think I’m smart and I admit I’ve been called a nerd on quite a few occasions. However, unlike Sophie, any car is good as long as it gets me from point A to point B. No need to be fancy…”
There has been much excitement surrounding the release of the film – after all, the romantic comedy is a hugely popular genre. Apart from love and laughter, what can audiences expect?
Maria Pia is quick to respond that first and foremost, they can expect familiarity. “This is a story about Maltese people living in Malta; many of the very funny, but also romantic scenes are set in contexts that the audience will clearly identify with, as the film is quite realistic,” she adds mischievously. “Do expect the odd peppering of vulgar language here and there.”
“Ultimately,” she adds by way of conclusion, “we hope audiences go away with a sore belly prompted by tears (of mirth and other emotions) as well as a completely new experience – perfect Valentine’s gift celebrating love, but also freedom.”
20,000 Reasons is the result of a Malta Film Workshop training programme initiated by the Malta Film Commission in partnership with Film London’s Microwave production scheme. It is released by KRS Releasing.