Maltese documentary awarded international prize

The Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment has produced a video documentary entitled A Pinch of Salt - Salt Production in the Maltese Islands.

The documentary, sponsored by APS Bank, has an English commentary and was produced mainly to participate in the 20th Agrofilm International Festival, which took place in Nitra, Slovakia.

The aim of this Agrofilm Festival is to teach new methods of production in agriculture and the food industry. It also shows documentaries with a historical, traditional and social background. The winning films will be distributed in various countries.

This year some 25 countries sent in various documentaries, which were judged by an international jury.

Antoine Zammit, chief cameraman at the ministry, who filmed, directed and edited the film, attended the festival and was awarded the overall prize for best direction out of the 78 films shown at the festival.

A Pinch of Salt explores the historical saltpans in Malta and Gozo, some going back hundreds of years. Salt is still produced manually in old saltpans in Xwejni, Gozo, Marsascala and some others. But this age-old trade is fast dying out. For the first time a TV crew has defied the difficult terrain at Mtahleb, where salt can only be carried uphill by mules.

The documentary re-enacts a scene showing a salt vendor in Kercem, Gozo, so typical some half a century ago.

This documentary highlights justified concern for the future of these saltpans, which should be identified and declared a national heritage. The main source of the research was taken from a University thesis by Pauline Dingli.

The script was written by Tony Parnis and Charles Farrugia, who also helped in researching the subject. Commentary was read by Marilu Coppini with additional narration by Godwin Scerri and Maryanne Zammit. Ruth Frendo made the introduction. Gorg Peresso wrote poetic thoughts for the epilogue. There are plans to produce a Maltese version with additional filming and interviews in the near future.