Charlene, a new short film written and directed by Gozitan film-maker Chelsea Muscat and produced by Oliver Mallia for Pellikola, will have its world premiere at PÖFF Shorts, part of the 30th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia, on November 13.
The 15-minute film has been selected for ‘Queer Embraces’, part of the festival’s ‘Shorts Panorama’ programme, which brings together international short films exploring queer experiences, intimacy and relationships.
Set in Gozo in the early 2000s, Charlene tells the story of a young mother whose secret affair with another woman threatens to fracture the one relationship she cannot afford to lose. The film stars Bettina Paris in the leading role of Charlene, alongside Vivia Fabbro, Tina Rizzo and Marlene Saliba.
Muscat said she was honoured to have the film premiere at PÖFF Shorts. “This film was a labour of love, made with trusted friends and artists in Gozo who gave so much of themselves to it. It’s a deeply personal story, drawn from my own experiences growing up with my mother in Gozo in the early 2000s, and I can’t wait to share it,” she said.
Oliver Mallia, said that the film’s selection was “a wonderful recognition” of the dedication and creativity of the film’s cast and crew. He added that the production reflects Pellikola’s continued commitment to supporting emerging film-makers and creating opportunities for new voices in Maltese cinema. “Chelsea’s talent and distinctive approach to storytelling were already apparent in her earlier projects, and we are proud to have worked with her to bring Charlene to the screen,” Mallia said.
The film’s creative team includes cinematographer Sam Tetro, production designer and co-producer Charlie Cauchi, costume designer Sarah Portelli, hair and make-up designer Chantal Busuttil, composer François Deville and sound designer Yasmin Kuymizakis. Muscat also edited the film.
Charlene was produced with the support of the Malta Film Commission through Creative Malta, the Ministry for Gozo and Arts Council Malta.
