The Swedish-Maltese coproduction Shame on Dry Land has been selected to premiere in competition at the 48th edition of the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, scheduled to be held between 7 and 17 September 2023.
The film is a gripping redemption drama skilfully directed by the Swedish director, Axel Petersen. Set against the captivating backdrop of Malta’s sun-soaked landscape, the film delves into the intriguing world of the Swedish online gaming community, revolving around the enigmatic figure of Dimman, an exiled lottery swindler. His unexpected appearance at his former best friend’s extravagant wedding ignites a desperate and decadent pursuit of redemption, leading him on a profound and transformative journey.
As a co-producer of the film, Pellikola played an integral role in shaping and nurturing this exceptional cinematic journey. Pellikola joined forces with lead producer Fedra and other co-producers Swedish Television (SVT), Film Stockholm, and Strictly Post. The film received invaluable support from the Swedish Film Institute, Screen Malta, Malta Film Commission, and the Swedish Arts Grants Committee.
Oliver Mallia, Co-Producer and owner of Pellikola, expressed his satisfaction at the announcement, stating, “the selection for the Platform programme at the Toronto International Film Festival is a testament to the collaborative effort and dedication put forth by the entire team. We look forward to sharing this captivating story with audiences on a global stage.”
This selection marks a momentous achievement for Pellikola, as it follows the resounding success of another Pellikola co-production Luzzu, which premiered in Competition at Sundance in 2021.
The Toronto Film Festival’s Platform programme is celebrated for showcasing unique directorial perspectives, and we are thrilled to be among the extraordinary lineup of films from 12 countries across three continents, all making their world premiere at TIFF. Noteworthy past films that premiered in this section include the Oscar-winning “Moonlight,” and acclaimed productions such as “Jackie” and “Sound of Metal.”
Pellikola will be releasing Shame on Dry Land at cinemas in Malta in early 2024.
