Rabat makeover for Spielberg movie

Tourists visiting Rabat yesterday were likely to be baffled by little touches, including signs and monuments, which made the main square look like something out of an Italian town.

Maltese road signage leaves much to be desired, so a signpost saying Piazza Cavour, instead of St Paul's Square, and a fermata (bus stop) could only have served to heighten the confusion.

In reality, the area was being dressed up and disguised in preparation for the shooting of Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg's as yet untitled movie today.

The film is said to be based on the controversial and sensitive story of the hunt for the Palestinian terrorists who murdered 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

But minimal information about it is available and it is not yet known exactly what Malta is doubling as - presumably an Italian city in this case.

Filming started in Bugibba last week and is scheduled to continue until the beginning of August, with other locations including Valletta.