Meet the 82-year-old making his film debut 

When first-time actor Nenu Borg read the script for his debut film, the 82-year-old wondered, “how on earth will I manage to keep all this in my head”.  

The veteran folk singer stars in the Maltese feature film Żejtune, which hit the screens this week. 

He appears in the buddy road-trip film, which shows his character, also called Nenu, go on an adventure with Mar, played by actress Michela Farrugia, who is trying to trace her family land. 

Borg’s character is true to life in that he plays an għannej. He helps Mar reconnect, often unconsciously, with her roots. 

For Borg, stepping into the world of film was both exciting and daunting. “At first, I was a bit nervous because working on a film is no joke. Plus, I never worked on a film before, let alone an international film, that came as a bit of a shock.” 

However, he said that as he spent more time with director Alex Camilleri and the rest of the crew, his confidence grew. As an għannej, he has a lifelong skill of improvisation but now had to learn lines. 

With the support of his wife, Mary, who helped him practice his lines every day after rehearsals, Borg managed to overcome this challenge and his nerves. 

So much so, on screen, Borg appears at ease, delivering a performance that feels natural and unforced.  

It is a surprising debut for someone with no formal acting experience. He had previously taken part in two theatrical għana performances, including one alongside the legendary għana singer Il-Budaj. 

He credits much of his positive experience on set to the people around him, particularly his co-star. “She is the best,” he said, smiling as he spoke about Farrugia. 

Music remains at the heart of both the film and Borg’s life. He said he relished the opportunity to collaborate with contemporary Maltese musicians and għannejja featured in the production. 

“I never get tired of hearing them play. I could hear them till the sun comes up if given the chance,” he said speaking about the father-and-son guitarists George and Karol Aquilina, who are also featured in the film.  

Nenu Borg and his co-star Michela Farrugia.

The film also includes appearances by several well-known figures in the Maltese music scene, including Andrew Alamango, Cher Camilleri, Marielle Zammit and Michael Azzopardi, serving as a subtle nod to contemporary Maltese music alongside its strong focus on għana. 

“I feel the music within me and I always have,” Borg said. Yet despite this lifelong connection, he did not immediately take to performing in public. It took him years to build the confidence to sing before an audience. 

“As I grew older, my passion for it only deepened,” he said, adding that encouragement from his family, who came from a musical background themselves. 

His aunt believed he had potential and urged him to perform alongside his uncle, known as Il-Moni. Despite initial surprise from those around him, Borg rose to the occasion. 

“I told them to play the music and once it started it was as if it had taken over me,” he said.  

His connection to għana, he added, stretches back even further. “My mother used to say that I didn’t cry as a baby, I sang.”  

Even now, he said, music is never far away. 

“When I was in the hospital the nurses told me that in the middle of the night I began singing għana and drove the whole hospital crazy!” he laughed. 

While Borg acknowledges that the golden age of għana has passed, with leading figures such as Il-Bamboċċu, Il-Bambinu and Il-Budaj now gone, he remains hopeful about its future, even as concerns grow over the genre’s waning popularity, an issue reflected in the film.  

“There are those people who think it sounds like a bad stomach-ache , but those that can feel its power and want to learn understand it for what it is,” he continued. “People are pulled to it, it is Maltese folklore after all.” 

Reflecting on his performance in Żejtune, Borg said he feels proud of how he represented the tradition he holds dear. “I feel I have presented a good example of how to sing għana for those that want to learn.” 

He also had a message for aspiring singers. He encouraged anyone who feels drawn to għana to persevere, to keep practising and, above all, to respect fellow performers. 

Żejtune opens on April 8 and will be shown at Eden Cinemas in St Julian’s, Embassy Cinemas in Valletta, and Citadel Cinemas in Gozo.