Documented proof of Malta’s rich biodiversity

Schoolchildren, documentary buffs and nature enthusiasts are in for a treat with the release of a “ground-breaking” feature on Maltese wildlife.

Titled Man Marries Nature and directed by Ryan Gatt, the documentary has been three years in the making and features high-definition footage of all forms of Maltese biodiversity.

A copy will be distributed free to all schools with the aim of instilling youngsters with a greater awareness of their environment and debunking the myth that Malta’s biodiversity lacks variety.

The project is the brainchild of marine biologist Alan Deidun, written by screenwriter Paul De Leonardo, directed by upcoming filmmaker Ryan Gatt, produced by 360 pictures and Jana Kovacova, co-Produced by Daniel Thornton in collaboration and partly funded by the Maltese National Commission for UNESCO.

Covering the span of the country’s biodiversity meant film-makers had to traverse every nook and cranny of the islands at different times of the day and night. The result, Dr Deidun said, was a “stunning and unprecedented” window into Malta’s natural environment.

The documentary features a number of animal species rarely seen by students, such as the chameleon, the leopard snake and the ocellated skink.

“The documentary seeks to address the fact that just 18 per cent of Maltese know what the term ‘biodiversity’ stands for despite the fact that 2010 was the UN International Year for Biodiversity,” Dr Deidun said.

Those interested are encouraged to visit the documentary’s Facebook page Man Marries Nature.