“Luzzu” Review!

Director: Alex Camilleri
Cast: Jesmark Scicluna, Michela Farrugia, David Scicluna

Director Alex Camilleri's "Luzzu" Jessmark (Jesmark Scicluna) is trying to feed his family by fishing the 12-foot traditional wooden "Luzzu". He goes out in the boat every morning and, like his father and father, hopes to get a good catch and then sells in a hassle-free fish market. However, her boat needs repairs, the price of the fish is falling drastically, and Jess is in a financially precarious position with her baby who needs special developmental care.

Frustrated by the idea of rejecting his family legacy and participating in the destruction of the coast, he initially scoffs at his wife's (Michella Farruzia) offer to join a high-paid trawler crew, but his options are his. has become a black market. catching fish. It becomes more attractive as the day progresses. Floating somewhere between tradition and modernization, Jessmark finds himself in perilous waters, deciding whether to sink in pride or swim in despair, the old business unprofitable, but the new trawlers leaking money from the local community.

In director Camilleri's leap into Maltese culture, sentimentality is replaced by sharp observation. That's not to say there aren't emotional layers here, Scicluna's performance is full of heartfelt subtleties, but Camilleri perseveres in her ritualistic subtlety of opening the fishing net and letting the fish off the hook.

It is also clear that director Camilleri's earlier documentary works have shaped his filmmaking style, and that Jessmark's journey is original and neo-realistic. This is especially true in some scenes, such as holding the son in carefree hands and not saying a word, clear emotion flowing from his sad eyes.

"Luzzu" comes down to some focused thoughts on the bright yellow and blue of the sea, replacing all parts of an aging boat, is it the same boat? Similarly, if Jessemark abandons his family tradition and starts anew, can he still be the same man? There are a lot of questions left, and the film is a good one to watch.