Troy premiere to raise money for SPCA

A charity premiere of the blockbuster UK-Malta co-production Troy, which was shot here last year and stars heartthrob Brad Pitt, is being held in aid of the SPCA at the Eden Century Cinemas in St Julians on May 14 - the day the film is being released in the US.

Tickets cost Lm4 and the whole amount is destined for the almost dry coffers of the SPCA, which is in dire need of more extensive premises and facilities.

SPCA president Barbara Cassar Torreggiani said the initiative was due to the support of animal lovers, Troy director Wolfgang Peterson and his wife, Maria, who gave the go-ahead for a premiere to be held in aid of the society.

Ever since the couple stumbled across an SPCA collection dog statue in a hotel lobby during their stay in Malta last year, Ms Peterson became a major benefactress of the stray animals' home.

During filming, the production had organised fund-raising events and raised awareness, showering the SPCA with useful gifts and ideas to deal with the stray situation in Malta. Ms Peterson also helped set up important contacts with the US for the exchange of information on neutering programmes.

Their support was considered to be encouraging, particularly in view of the situation of Malta's strays and the home itself, which was constantly faced with tough decisions that were not always understood by the public, Ms Cassar Torreggiani said.

Ms Peterson had understood the importance of more suitable premises, which the government is also supporting, said Ms Cassar Torreggiani, confident that the need for more space for the animals to live a more dignified life would soon be realised.

The government has agreed to allocate land in an agricultural area, possibly at Ta' Qali, which was convenient and central. The SPCA would have to raise the money to build a "complete centre", manned by a 24-hour veterinary service, among other facilities.

Aware of the hardships of the SPCA, KRS general manager Charles Pace was delighted that Troy's director had chosen the society to enjoy the benefits of the premiere. KRS normally only raised money for the Community Chest Fund, to avoid the problem of choosing and favouring organisations, he said, adding that the SPCA deserved the support.

The epic $180 million-budget film, which also stars Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean and Peter O'Toole, is being rated as one of the major blockbusters of 2004 - "bigger than Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ".

"Appeal for Troy is expected to be very broad and business predictions are that the film in the US should exceed the $100 million mark," Mr Pace said. In Malta, Troy is expected to perform at least as well as Gladiator, which still ranks in third position in the all-time box-office list, having been surpassed by The Passion of the Christ in March.

It was predicted that Troy would take over The Passion also due to Brad Pitt's appeal, Mr Pace said.

Filming of Troy began in the UK in April last year, following which the production moved to Malta, where exteriors of the city of Troy were erected on 10 acres in the 17th century Fort Ricasoli.

Over 500 Maltese were hired and nearly 200 craftsmen were brought over from the UK for the construction of Troy at the beginning of last year. As many as 1,200 extras were costumed and coiffed for the scene of a cavalcade of mounted Apollonian guardsmen, who escorted Hector (Eric Bana) and Paris (Orlando Bloom) through the city as they presented Helen (Diane Kruger) to the people of Troy for the first time.

The premiere starts at 8 p.m. due to the length of the film, which has a running time of two hours and 44 minutes. It is being screened in cinema 16, which seats 712 viewers and is the most appropriate for the epic movie. Even its protagonist, Brad Pitt, watched a film there when he was in Malta for the shoot.

A reception for viewers is being hosted by Eden Leisure Group at the Intercontinental Malta after the premiere, which is being held under the patronage of President Eddie Fenech Adami.

A statue that was used on set is also being raffled to raise money for the home, Eden Leisure Group marketing manager Kate de Cesare said.

Tickets for the charity premiere are available from the SPCA and from the Eden Century Cinemas in St Julians, which said it was proud to be associated with KRS and to contribute to the society.

Troy is being shown in cinemas in Malta from May 19, two days prior to the UK release.