The director of the Gladiator films advised an audience who had just watched the latest instalment not to visit Malta. Sir Ridley Scott, the renowned filmmaker whose recent sword-and-sandal epic benefited from at least €47 million in Maltese taxpayer funding for production in Malta, made the remark during a short interview earlier this month with fellow director Christopher Nolan. When asked by Nolan about his experience filming Gladiator in Malta, Scott praised the island’s architecture but was strikingly candid about visiting as a tourist.Gladiator’s rebate broke the record for the biggest state aid cinema in the European Union. (Times of Malta)
Magisterial inquiry requested in alleged bribery on Gozo project
Lawyer and former MP Jason Azzopardi has submitted another request for a magisterial inquiry into alleged misconduct involving the Gozo ministry. He has called for an investigation into Minister Clint Camilleri and three others over suspected bribery and money laundering related to the reconstruction of the main road leading to Nadur. This marks Azzopardi’s second request for an inquiry into Minister Camilleri’s activities this month. Earlier, he sought an investigation into an alleged racket connected to the ministry and Transport Malta, where Camilleri’s wife, Deborah, holds a senior role.
Former site of The Avenue to make way for 73 apartments
A former home to one of Paceville’s most iconic eateries could be demolished to make way for a new development comprising over 70 apartments if a planning application submitted earlier this year is approved by the Planning Authority. For 35 years, ‘The Avenue’ operated from a corner property at Triq Paceville and Triq Gort in St Julian’s before closing its doors on 25 August 2022 and relocating to One Portomaso up the road. The original site has since remained vacant. The Avenue Ltd, on behalf of Charles Mangion, has applied for a permit to replace the old building with a new structure featuring four underground levels, a commercial ground floor, and six floors of apartments. (The Malta Independent)
