It’s been a few years in the making, but Abigail Mallia’s feature debut, Limestone Cowboy, is set to premiere this weekend, with avid film-goers counting down the days. Starring renowned local actor Paul Portelli in the role of Karist, a man well past his prime who decides to step into the fray and enter Maltese politics, the film does not shy away from depicting the deranged or the manic to get to the heart of some of the tensions pervading this little island.

This Saturday 13th April will be the film’s first theatrical outing. “This film comes from the heart and is our reflection on real events that happened around 2013, namely the phenomenon of Zaren ta' l-Ajkla,” Abigail told GuideMeMalta, referring to the independent candidature of Nazzareno Bonnici, who contested for the so-called Partit tal-Ajkla (The Party of the Eagle) that year.

And, while he had attracted crowds to his mass meetings – during which he would lay out his policies from a stage, flanked by ornamental golden eagles – these had not translated into votes. “Those events made me, and my creative partners, question so much. How would I behave if my father had been Zaren? Would I have put a stop to it? But isn't my father having the time of his life up on that stage? We might question the ride – especially when we look at the meagre 43 votes he got – but isn't life full of such disappointment and pain anyway?” Abigail asks.

Indeed, the film, which also stars Davide Tucci as John and Irene Christ as Anya, touches on the nature of delusions, of how we build fictions to live our lives by. “Isn't it all about the journey and aren't we all deluded? Some delusions are socially acceptable, while others are not,” Abigail continues. So, does the director hope audiences leave the theatre with a deeper understanding of the fictions which shape our lives? “I hope people who will see this film leave with just as many questions and thoughts as we have had. It is a film that has literally changed my life, and which has altered the perspective on how I look at things, so I hope that the film stays with its viewers for some time,” she says.

The making of the film seems to have changed more than the artists’ perspectives however, with memories set to burn bright for all involved. “It was a really wonderful journey with a great bunch of people who take their work very seriously,” lead actor Paul Portelli says, using one word – “fun” – to describe the experience. And what about his hopes following the screening of the film? “After Limestone Cowboy I hope to become a bit more like Karist,” he laughs.

Limestone Cowboy premieres this Saturday, 13th April at Eden Cinemas. Daily screenings will kick off from Friday, 19th April (Easter weekend). Tickets can be bought from here.

Other events this week:

1. Friday, 12th April 2019 from 9.30pm: Gianni Morandi, Live in Malta – MFCC, Ta’ Qali. 

2. From Saturday, 13th April: Hekk Alla Jgħinni - Spazju Kreattiv Theatre, Valletta. 

3. Saturday, 13th April and Sunday, 14th April from 7.30pm: Taste History, Gozo, a dinner at De Soldanis - Gran Castello Historic House, Rabat, Gozo. 

4. Sunday 14th April from 3pm – 6pm: Countryside children and family walk – meeting point Mdina City Gate, Mdina.