Dear Dom, a documentary about former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, is “by far” the best-selling film showing at Eden Century Cinemas, with thousands of tickets sold in its first 12 days.
The controversy arose before people had even watched the film due to mixed emotions
But the Eden Leisure Group has refused to divulge the number of tickets sold.
The hour-long feature documentary, produced and directed by Pierre Ellul, has not out-performed Maltageddon, a spoof action movie that topped the box office in 2009 and remains the best-selling local film to date, according to Eden Leisure Group.
“However, I don’t think the two works can be compared,” spokesman Simon De Cesare said, pointing out that Dear Dom’s performance at the cinema was particularly impressive because it was a documentary, which tended to be less popular with viewers.
“This documentary has a particularly interesting topic,” Mr De Cesare pointed out, adding that the film had not shown signs of slowing down and it would therefore continue to be screened while there was demand.
The controversial film has elicited mixed reactions. Mr Mintoff’s daughter, Yana Mintoff Bland, threatened to take legal action for painting her father as violent and vindictive while outspoken left-leaning priest Fr Mark Montebello labelled it “banal and insolent”.
However, the film received praise from Culture Minister Mario de Marco and shadow minister Owen Bonnici.
Mr De Cesare said the film was attracting a very diverse mix of people. It began by attracting the older generation, including many people who were not regular cinemagoers.
“However, in the last few days we are seeing many more younger people choosing to watch this documentary, which is likely due to the debate raging on the film and the character. Some prominent political figures have already visited, including some ministers.”
Mr De Cesare also referred to the “media frenzy” surrounding the film and said the controversy arose before people had even watched the film due to the mixed emotions the subject inevitably elicited. “On the whole, it seems people who experienced one side of the man feel the film was too lenient on him and people who experienced the other side feel it was too harsh on him.”
Mr De Cesare said no one had asked for their money back and he received no reports from the management that anyone had walked out of the theatre, as Dr Mintoff Bland had recently claimed.