DIRECTOR: Abigail Mallia
STARRING: Simone Spiteri, Analise Mifsud, Rachel Genovese, Mark Doneo, Simone Zammit, Mark Mifsud
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 8 minutes
LANGUAGE: Maltese, English
Amanda reunites with her mother after her father's death. Her mother admits killing two men in revenge for her sister's 1996 assassination. Amanda uncovers her family's dark history involving these past events.
***
Clare Azzopardi’s novel, Castillo, was the seminal work that inspired Abigail Mallia to create it into a feature film. The film had its worldwide debut on September 20th across Malta.
The Malta Academy Selection Committee (MASC) has selected the film Castillo to represent Malta for consideration in the International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards.
The film is produced by Take Two.
Castillo is a drama and it was filmed in Msida, Malta.
To check out all previous submissions for Malta, click HERE.
STARRING: Simone Spiteri, Analise Mifsud, Rachel Genovese, Mark Doneo, Simone Zammit, Mark Mifsud
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 8 minutes
LANGUAGE: Maltese, English
Amanda reunites with her mother after her father's death. Her mother admits killing two men in revenge for her sister's 1996 assassination. Amanda uncovers her family's dark history involving these past events.
***
Clare Azzopardi’s novel, Castillo, was the seminal work that inspired Abigail Mallia to create it into a feature film. The film had its worldwide debut on September 20th across Malta.
The Malta Academy Selection Committee (MASC) has selected the film Castillo to represent Malta for consideration in the International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards.
The film is produced by Take Two.
Castillo is a drama and it was filmed in Msida, Malta.
To check out all previous submissions for Malta, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“She tried. She couldn’t handle it. But she tried.”
Castillo, directed by Abigail Mallia, is a riveting Maltese drama that interweaves the personal and political in a masterful narrative about family trauma, unresolved grief, and revenge. The film centers on Amanda, a young woman who is forced to confront the dark secrets of her family after the death of her father. As she reconnects with her estranged mother, Emma, Amanda unearths a past marred by violence and tragedy, learning that her mother killed two men in retaliation for the assassination of her sister, the renowned writer K. Penza. Mallia handles these heavy themes with a deft hand, creating a film that is both emotionally charged and tightly paced.
The heart of Castillo lies in its complex characters, particularly the fraught relationship between Amanda and her mother. Analise Mifsud gives a standout performance as Amanda, portraying her character’s emotional turmoil with raw intensity. The character’s journey from seeking reconciliation to grappling with the moral implications of her mother’s actions is handled with nuance and depth. Simone Spiteri and Simone Zammit, playing the younger and older versions of Emma, bring a layered portrayal of a woman burdened by guilt and grief. The film cleverly shifts between past and present, a technique that mirrors the unraveling of Amanda’s understanding of her family and its legacy.
Mallia’s direction is both bold and intricate, particularly in the way she chooses to blend timelines. The non-linear structure serves to heighten the suspense, as key details about Emma’s past are revealed slowly, keeping the audience hooked. The tension is palpable throughout, and the moments of revelation are carefully timed, ensuring a constant emotional build-up. The atmospheric lighting capture the claustrophobic feel of a family trapped in the shadow of a violent past. Each scene feels intimate, yet weighted with the heaviness of unresolved pain.
The film’s exploration of justice, revenge, and moral ambiguity is one of its strongest aspects. Mallia does not offer easy answers; instead, Castillo forces the audience to grapple with the same questions as Amanda. Was Emma justified in seeking vengeance for her sister’s death? Can Amanda forgive her mother for the darkness she has carried for decades? These questions linger long after the film ends, making Castillo not just a gripping family drama, but also a thought-provoking meditation on the consequences of violence.
Abigail Mallia’s adaptation is both faithful to its source and enhanced by the performances and technical prowess on display. The film’s emotional depth, combined with its gripping narrative and strong performances, makes Castillo a standout entry in Maltese cinema, solidifying Mallia as a director to watch. The intricate narrative structure, striking visuals, and strong cast come together to create a deeply compelling story about the enduring impact of trauma and the weight of family legacies.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“She tried. She couldn’t handle it. But she tried.”
Castillo, directed by Abigail Mallia, is a riveting Maltese drama that interweaves the personal and political in a masterful narrative about family trauma, unresolved grief, and revenge. The film centers on Amanda, a young woman who is forced to confront the dark secrets of her family after the death of her father. As she reconnects with her estranged mother, Emma, Amanda unearths a past marred by violence and tragedy, learning that her mother killed two men in retaliation for the assassination of her sister, the renowned writer K. Penza. Mallia handles these heavy themes with a deft hand, creating a film that is both emotionally charged and tightly paced.
The heart of Castillo lies in its complex characters, particularly the fraught relationship between Amanda and her mother. Analise Mifsud gives a standout performance as Amanda, portraying her character’s emotional turmoil with raw intensity. The character’s journey from seeking reconciliation to grappling with the moral implications of her mother’s actions is handled with nuance and depth. Simone Spiteri and Simone Zammit, playing the younger and older versions of Emma, bring a layered portrayal of a woman burdened by guilt and grief. The film cleverly shifts between past and present, a technique that mirrors the unraveling of Amanda’s understanding of her family and its legacy.
Mallia’s direction is both bold and intricate, particularly in the way she chooses to blend timelines. The non-linear structure serves to heighten the suspense, as key details about Emma’s past are revealed slowly, keeping the audience hooked. The tension is palpable throughout, and the moments of revelation are carefully timed, ensuring a constant emotional build-up. The atmospheric lighting capture the claustrophobic feel of a family trapped in the shadow of a violent past. Each scene feels intimate, yet weighted with the heaviness of unresolved pain.
The film’s exploration of justice, revenge, and moral ambiguity is one of its strongest aspects. Mallia does not offer easy answers; instead, Castillo forces the audience to grapple with the same questions as Amanda. Was Emma justified in seeking vengeance for her sister’s death? Can Amanda forgive her mother for the darkness she has carried for decades? These questions linger long after the film ends, making Castillo not just a gripping family drama, but also a thought-provoking meditation on the consequences of violence.
Abigail Mallia’s adaptation is both faithful to its source and enhanced by the performances and technical prowess on display. The film’s emotional depth, combined with its gripping narrative and strong performances, makes Castillo a standout entry in Maltese cinema, solidifying Mallia as a director to watch. The intricate narrative structure, striking visuals, and strong cast come together to create a deeply compelling story about the enduring impact of trauma and the weight of family legacies.
