Alex Camilleri’s debut feature film Luzzu made its world premier at the 2021 edition of the Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim.
The LA Times, which described Luzzu as a “beautifully rough-hewn drama”, listed it as one of the 24 must-see movies of the Sundance 2021 line up. While Jordan Mintzer, reporting for The Hollywood Reporter, hailed the film as a “contemporary take on Visconti’s neorealist classic La Terra Trema”. In fact, many have commented on the authenticity of the production, with Film Stage describing it as “ a simple, yet beautiful film due to this sense of place”.
Screendaily has praised the film for its casting of non-professional actors, stating that “the grizzled fishermen clearly know their way around not only the boats but also the history and mythology which surrounds them.” Variety’s Guy Lodge also applauded the performances in the film, going so far as to liken Jessmark Scicluna (the film’s main protagonist) to “an unforced Brando in unglamorous waders.”
Luzzu features as part of the 37th Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Dramatic competition. Luzzu is produced by Noruz Films, Luzzu Limited, Pellikola and Maborosi Films. The film is sold by Memento Films International.
