Dear Dom – film coming soon
Published:
January 31, 2012 at 7:02pm
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At 42 seconds, during the press conference, the person next to Mintoff was “l-ispizjar” Joe Camilleri. Has he been enrolled into Muscat’s skip yet?
This looks brilliant. Looking forward to it.
Looks like the usual piece of revisionist tripe. Roll on the next Mintoff hagiography.
Posted on TOM under http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120131/local/Muscat-absolutely-wrong-on-1981-Mifsud-Bonnici.404683
Mr Lawrence Calleja
Today, 13:38
Il-vera weggajt bhala Laburist meta smajt lill Joe Muscat jghid li l-partit laburista fiz-zmien tal-mexxej Mintoff kien gverna bejn l-1981 u 1987 b’mod illegittimu. Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici ghandu ragun iwiddeb lill Muscat biex ikun korrett kif jitkellem f’isem il-vera laburisti. Donnu issa l-partit taghna qieghed idahhal wisq nazzjonalisti fil-partit biex nghatu dehra gdida. Dan mhux sew. Il-partit laburista m’ghandux bzonn nazzjonalisti. Dawn ghada jerga jitilquna ghax demmhom vera hu wiehed blue. Niehu ghalija meta nara lill Manwel Mallia, Engerer, Deborah Schembri u ohrajn jitkelmu fil-media u jiftahru bil-partit taghna. Dawn imisshom joqghodu kwieti u jgibu l-voti lejna izda zgur li mhux jiehdu over. Dawn ma jafu xejn fuq il-partit taghna u nispera li l-leader Joe Muscat ihallihom fuq wara u johrog aktar it-talent tal-kandidati laburisti li f’dawn l-ahhar 25 sena hadmu bil-qalb u mhux skond fejn jonfoh ir-rih. Dawn li illum qed jinaqdu maghna ma huma xejn hlief opportunisti. Nitlob lil KMB u lil Mintoff biex jiddefendu lilna laburisti antiki ghax ftit ftit qed nitwarbu biex jiehdu postna ex nazzjonalisti. Nappella l-vera laburisti biex nissaportjaw lill dawk li huma vera laburisti bi storja kbira warajna.”
It was inevitable.
Marisa betrayed her obsession with Pieta’ yesterday. How little she cares what’s happening inside Mile End.
“Coming soon….where “soon” means as close to an election as possible”.
[Daphne – Why assume that it’s going to be bad news for you?]
I don’t know about any bad news for me, I just commented on the timing. Clever.
Even though we know these tricks by heart now. Observing Maltese politics is beginning to feel like going to the theatre and watching the same play over and over again. So much that you begin to say the lines before the actors do!
[Daphne – Albert, a film like that cannot be made overnight. It has been in production for some time. I know because I had spoken to the producer about it a while back. For all he knew the election was going to be held next year. Please don’t be tiresome.]
Not only does the PL not condemn the 71-87 years but it actually glorifies them, not to mention that some senior members of the party were active in those days.
As long as that is the case, I think that reminding the people of those horrible years is a perfectly valid electoral tactic. Those years are not yet water under the bridge.
Apart from the fact that it’s entirely his prerogative to release it close to elections, it makes absolute commercial sense to do so.
Albert, you don’t honestly expect him to postpone the release date so as not to offend anyone do you?
Always with the bloody conspiracy theories.
Albert – usual warped Labour thinking. Even if you are right about the timing – so what?
Any Labourite is free to produce a similar film and release it at any opportune time.
Why “tricks”?
The only “tricks” are the stunts that Labour tries to pull off against any person/s whose allegiances lie elsewhere and dares express them. Labour can’t hack the truth nor the fact that support for it is far from universal.
Albert, film or no film, now or a year from now, will make little difference.
The ‘film’ will simply (and hopefully) condense in a specific time all the highlights of Mintoff’s failures and consequently his party’s. Of course, for diehard Labour supporters who cannot even distinguish from the misinformation their party feeds them, the forecasts of major election victories turning into yet more defeats and the wishful thinking of Joseph & Co., all their leaders say becomes their gospel. They deny the stark facts and prefer the illusions their party force-feeds them ( lower W&E tariffs, etc.).
We remember daily, the oppressive times under Mintoff and KMB, the same era you and your ilk describe as the ‘golden years’, yet you have the gall to describe today’s situation of plenty and indeed excesses and you claim that ‘you have not had it so bad ever’!
Being lured into an illusion is only a half excuse, actually believing it shows your naivety, your lack of fair judgment demonstrates your propensity to cut your nose to spite your face.
Great promo video – thanks. It will show the truth to all blinkered ignorant elves who think that the real truth is only that propagated by their political party.
Do we have to book in advance to watch it?
We’ve lived it already.
Sadly, to many, it will only remain fiction.
Legendary.
You think? It will probably become a feature episode on Discovery Channel’s ‘Mythbusters’.
I think it is really important that such things get documented. The bijografiji series and the other series by Medialink are a good start. We also need historians to write the facts because like the Holocaust, some might soon think these things never happened.
Some? Might? Soon?
Hello!
Damn him to the deepest hell.
I was lucky to get a preview – it’s very good.
[Daphne – Isssssss. Qed tara, ghax ghandek il-kontekts.]
LOL @ “kontekts”. Oqghod attent Andrew ghax inkella Franco Debono igerger li ma tawhx privju ukoll.
Tassew. Dan b’liema dritt ABC jmur u FDTRZ ma jmurx?
Fuq kollox, ħadd ma jaf ABC kemm ġab pojnts fir-Reliġjon fil-Form 2C f’nofs is-sena. Lanqas hu stess.
It’ll be out in the cinemas very soon. I can’t wait to see it.
Who is that woman at the end of the clip – talking about her father dying? What is that all about?
[Daphne – Margaret Parnis England. Her father was Frank Cassar Torregiani, a director and shareholder of the National Bank of Malta. He died during Mintoff’s siege on the bank.]
http://user.orbit.net.mt/fournier/MNnational_bank_scandal.htm
@ DCG
Not sure if mentioning FCT’s death is purely a statement of fact, or whether you’re implying that his death is related to the National Bank’s fortunes.
If thats the case, perhaps you’re right, perhaps you aren’t. What’s for sure is that at the end, we’re all dead.
[Daphne – No, his death was not caused by what happened, but as his daughter remarks here, it was seen as a suitable time to redouble efforts to seize the bank. As for your ‘in the end we’re all dead’, that’s fatuous. Majtezwel live in a cave and give up, then.]
died during mintoff siege!! u ajma gejja bis siege qisek qeda titkelem fuq il great siege of malta of 1565?! hallina daphneeeeeeeeeee b min trid titnellah nejdu bil malti
[Daphne – Kien attwalment assedju, Joseph. U fejn ma tafx, saqsi.]
I can assure you (for we know Margaret very well, used to be neighbours too) that her father found himself engulfed and trapped by the whole situation at NMB. Joseph, you speak like that because you’re suffering from the usual nimby syndrome.
The irony of it all was that Edgar Mizzi, another of our neighbours whom Margaret knew very well too, did nothing much to help. He portrayed himself as unable to move a finger or that his hands were tied. For a long time, many stopped having a good opinion of him. His was considered a form of betrayal which culminated when he stated that the Government (i.e. Mintoff) could go ahead and take whatever he wanted. He was considered treacherous by seconding the Perit, making something illegal seem legal through those legal decrees in Parliament.
I remember my parents and their friends getting all heated up on this argument. It was Mintoff’s way of robbing Malta of its main assets. As Mintoff himself said… he did not give two hoots what the Constitution stated. And this was Labour’s Genna tal-Art.
Frank Cassar Torregiani died a month before and not during.
[Daphne – He died at the end of November. That was during, not before. You are speaking to somebody who knows this through direct, personal experience.]
Peter Cassar Torreggiani, son of Frank, says Earland had warned his father of an eventual take over well before the run on the bank:
“My father and RJA Earland used to be good friends. A month before he died, which was prior to the run on the bank, my father had told me that Earland had gave him stark warning. He had told my father that Mintoff wanted the bank. His advice to my father was that he ‘should have his house in order’ by the time of the takeover, meaning that the board of directors had better make sure it would be a smooth takeover.”
Taken from the link posted above.
[Daphne – Richard, I know all that. Our house phones were tapped for weeks if not months ahead, too.]
Good old eavesdropping. Alfred Sant appears to have tried it too. Ask Purdie.
“”The movie is about the political persona of Dom Mintoff and how he shaped a country in his 60 years in politics”, director and producer Pierre Ellul told maltastar.com.”
– Dom Mintoff movie to hit local cinemas, Maltastar, 31 January 2012.
Well, thankfully, in those 60 years (which I presume refer loosely to the years 1935-1998), he was a PM, and hence shaped the country, for only 16 years. In the other 44 years, the country was shaped by others.
By shaped, he must have meant disfugured.
Well said, Pepe’.
Finally Marisa is posing on Realta
Looks great, hope to see it soon.
Anyone watched Realta’ tonight?
Why was Franco Debono accorded the privilege of taking part in the programme (and bore everybody to tears in so doing) via telephone when other lesser mortals had to leave the comfort of their homes in this cold evening and miss football to present themselves “carne e ossa” at the studios?
And what was Ms Micallef doing with her right hand under the table towards the end of Franco Debono’s bit?
“Anyone watched Realta’ tonight?”
No. But it must have been as boring as you said it was. So I watched football instead.
“And what was Ms Micallef doing with her right hand under the table towards the end of Franco Debono’s bit?”
OK I have a dirty mind.
I don’t know where else to post this, but…as it happens, this trailer led me to another uTube posting, and another and another.
Amongst them I came across this which i thought was shocking enough:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZv_WnKmzGY&feature=related
But NOTHING prepared me for the comments below clip because these were posted as recently as 3 days ago.
The comments include:
“in nejka li ma kienux jahxulom il mara qudiemom lin nazjunalisti. haqom ghar min hekk” (posted 3 days ago);
“alxejn kinu isawtuwom mawx nies ar minkom tal pn em ha xhadna qedin intom fil gvern kisirtu malta mela ahjar nergaw insawtukom” (posted 3 weeks ago)
“hehehe …..looool…certu nies mahluqin biex isawtu u ohrajn biex jissawtu!!!!! tarawa bhali??????????????????” ( 6 months ago).
I am sick to my stomach. One thing I’ll say…. this floating voter just stopped floating.
The ‘floating voter’ cliche’.
You really missed the entire point of my comment. You don’t condemn vicious comments like ” nahxulom il mara quddiemom” and “nerghu insawtuhom”, “haqom ghar min hekk”… and home in on the floating voter cliche? Seriously?
But you’re right, of course … I’m not a floater.
I would sooner abstain than vote Labour because, like Daphne, I too have been scarred by the 80s.
I was merely bored of politics and going through a phase of nonchalance.
But my naive period’s over and – thanks to this blog – I’m back in blue and ready to expose Labour’s true colours of violence, revenge and *hdura* at every given opportunity.
Floating voters do not exist. You are either a grassroot voter, an undecided voter, or an opportunist.
I hasten to add “the informed voter” to the list.
Pity not all self-proclaimed “floating voters” think the way you do.
Dr Franco is back for the limelight.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120131/local/franco-debono-says-pm-s-decision-not-something-to-be-taken-lightly.404719
Politicians in Malta don’t deserve the roles they occupy, think its time we have mature debates in the house and not such pathetic childish nonsense. What I would love to see is one politician of any political stripe to come out and say that their behaviour, as demonstrated in this last few weeks is unacceptable.
What hope is there for better conducts in other aspect being government officials, contractors, auditors, businessmen paying dues, when the politicians elected to lead behave like idiots. This country deserves better. Maltese parliament need to change, and not until election time rolls around, when they all, party-irrespective, suddenly remember the annoying public that has to vote them back in and all of a sudden they are serious and sensible and trying to convince us they really are mature and ready to govern.
To be honest I don’t think either party is setting a great example at the moment, however Dr Franco Debono wins hands down as the worst member of the house, thinking that the world revolve around him.
Think that Dr Gonzi‘s re-election contest was completely uncalled for.
A country with just 400,000 population and we cannot put our house in order. The two parties don’t have different policies all they have is different followers, they only represents half the community, to the exclusion of the other half.
What difference does it make, having team A playing now, when we know that eventually the other party will definitely be elected soon. Can we pull our socks up and work solely for the benefit of the country?
Dr Franco Debono is behaving like a 5 year old throwing tantrums and spitting dummy. He should be asked by the members of the same side of the bench to shut up, chill out and move on cause the country don’t need such childish behaviour.
You know what irks me? It’s the Nationalist Party conveniently diverting attention from the real issue, which is Franco Debono’s behaviour, to the Labour Party. Dr Debono is the one with the cord in his hand ready to pull the plug, he has all cards in his hand and it’s only when, and if he wants, we will end up having an early election, contrary to that it’s a political spin.
Dr Franco Debono has put himself in the eye of the public and therefore is up for scrutiny and judgement however we have all journalists (except Daphne Caruana Galizia, Lou Bondi and Natalino Fenech) running like headless chickens with nobody having the guts to face the Honorable Dr Franco Debono and show him his true colours. He is a hypocritical fool with no reason to hold our country to ransom. Journalists especially those of Maltastar , In-taghna and the likes, are treating Franco-rumpelstiltskin- thou shalt call his name -Debono as the victim, they don’t want to upset him ‘miskin’.
There is no serious political issue in this saga, its all about this self centered annoying conceited idiot paid by the tax payer, merrily playing the fool over petty juvenile nonsense. He has no dignity, no professionalism, and he don’t even have the decency to recognise that what he is doing is not a game, it’s not a tit-for-tat fight in a schoolyard. To argue policy is one thing, and yes it’s not a problem if you do not have the same opinion in line with your side of the bench, however Dr Debono’s attack on the prime minister was personal and its ‘krystal clear’ that he is putting his own priorities ahead of the national good.
If Dr Franco Debono wanted to deal with real issues about democracy, this is not the way forward and should never handled it this way, considering what is happening in our neighbouring countries, however if he wanted to pose and act like a prima donna and steal the limelight, think he is doing a very good job.
Poor country, we have the Labour party on one side, jumping with joy at the opportunity that just opened up, cause they were desperately longing to rule the country. And on the other side, a backbencher who thinks that he deserve a ministerial post, for the simple reason that he is now potty trained and have an impatient desire to be part of the cabinet.
This saga is insulting to anyone who follows politics in Malta, this should stop before you do irreparable damage to our country. You were right when you said that ‘Economy’ was no your forte, Franco.
Daphne apology for the rant.
Gingrich got thumped.
Look who’s talking about democracy: the dinosaurs on timesofmalta.com:
Marie Louise Coleiro Preca: We knew we were wrong so we worked hard to avoid a repeat.
Karmenu Vella: We tried to remedy the situation immediately.
Leo Brincat: Today one understands what a bad decision it was to stay on.
All referring to the 1981 election.
Leo brincat took 21 years to realise the bad decision. Wonder what Joe Grima would have commented knowing that he was all out against any change in the Constitution back then.
This is only “bżar fl-għajnejn”. They pretend to admit it was a mistake. Were it true they’d have done something then. It’s pointless to talk about the 1981 mistake now. Those departed won’t come back… same analogy here. No one is going to give us the time wasted; no one is going to erase the pain and suffering of those years; no one is going to make me forget the bashing and the scars I still carry on my person. They can all burn in hell.
“Malta hi stat Mubarakjana”.
This was stated at 2.00 am this morning by the knowledgable Dr Mario Tabone Vassallo on his program Bla Kantunieri. The observation was made in between demonstrating in no uncertain terms his admiration for Astrid’s band of Merrie Men (and maids) and disapproval for the ACTA legislation.
Oh all right, the presenter must have confused nation, right? I mean, he’s wonderfully enlightened. Malta is a Mubarakian state and, at the same time he-s free to say it (amongst other charlatan opinions ta’ żewġ soldi) on his programme.
What are we waiting for, oh fundamentalist intolerant Nationalists? Here’s one who’s feeling like a “Salman Rushdie” only that (just to use a pun) he’s rushing in voicing his most absurd and ignorant assertions. At 2.00 am I advise you Dr MTV to go get some rest and sleep well.
In that Mintoff film, will we finally get to know where exactly the war-damage money to rebuild the Old Theatre ended up?
Will there be any mention of the infamous adage “L-ewwel sold ghal Mintoff” that referred to the tax levied on every can of paint imported into Malta at the time when Cole was minister?
Some Labour-leaning people are already salivating at the thought of this being another hagiography (similar to the Biografiji documentary).
They’re going to be in for a surprise.
I bloody well hope so.
some people have too much time on their hands http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taste-your-own-medicine-bitch/306606752877?sk=wall&filter=12#!/profile.php?id=782044816
This is off-topic, perhaps it could be a new thread. Yet look at the Prattikament Prim Ministru Muscat who goes to inaugurate an underground car park in Hamrun… the comments are worth reading too.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120201/local/muscat-inaugurates-new-car-park-at-hamrun.404817
I am eagerly waiting for this film but judging from the trailer Dom MIntoff shall come across as the man who brought radical reforms to this small nation against all odds
http://www.tasteyourownmedicine.com/ – it seems these guys are down.
[Daphne – Yes. They provided godaddy with false registration information (obviously) and were in breach of contract. That gives godaddy the right to take the site down until they provide real contact information. But the minute they provide real contact information, they’re in another sort of trouble involving lawyers and the police.]
Dear Mrs Caruana Galizia,
I know this has nothing to do with the above article, but I was reading about John Dalli not contesting Dr Gonzi because there is no vacancy regarding the post of PN leadership.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but did Dr Fenech Adami resign in 2004 when Lawrence Gonzi, Austin Gatt and John Dalli were contesting for the post?
Thanks.
[Daphne – Michelle, Eddie Fenech Adami stepped down, full stop. That’s ‘stepped down’ as in ‘stepped down to make way for somebody else because he had achieved his objective of EU membership, had turned 70 and decided enough was enough’. He was not part of the leadership election. Lawrence Gonzi has signified his intention to stay on unless he is actually voted out. So obviously, there is no scope for resignation here. It’s ‘vote me out or keep me on’.]
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/the-problem-of-malta/query/mintoff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_wTvdbqaqE&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Does the film come with a health warning?
I’m kind of stuck here, as a history A-level student this seems awesomely interesting as for political bias I’d pass.
History A-level student or not, you’d better brush up your English grammar.
I’m a student too (though I’m not doing my a-levels at this stage). I have looked at this period in our history as part of my research.
There are several misconceptions about political bias. A historian/researcher would be guilty of bias if he/she only based his research on PN sources (or MLP sources) without attempting to consult other sources. From the preview it is clear that the film makers sought to strike a balance.
In the event, Mintoff still emerges as a thouroughly unpleasant man. He took pleasure in punishing and putting down those who thought of him as is-Salvatur. He equally relished to punish those who managed to make a success of their lives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGXS7W9xWQw&feature=related
“How do you propose to do that?” Dom Mintoff was asked.
“Ahhhaha” was the reply.
That’s for us to know, and for you to find out.
It’s exactly Muscat’s attitude towards what he intends to do if and when is is PM.
Maybe one hadn’t and the latter hasn’t figured it out yet.
Totally unappropriate for this post, but was too funny to let it pass by: (on facebook)
Luciano Busuttil
I AM SO DISAPPOINTED THAT MPS THAT ARE ELECTED ON THE 1ST DISTRICT WERE NOT INVITED TO JOIN IN TO DR.JOSEPH MUSCAT’S VISIT OF THE HAMRUN NEW UNDERGROUND PARKING. PERSONALLY I SPENT 7 YEARS ON THAT PROJECT THHAT I CREATED AND THAT NO ONE EVER BELIEVED COULD BECOME REALITY. SEEMS THAT HARD WORK WAS SOON FORGOTTEN!
Share · 4 hours ago ·
18 people like this..
Alfred Zammit A TASTE OF MORE TO COME FROM YOUR LEADERAND FRIENDS!
3 hours ago.
Luciano Busuttil TGHIDX CUCATI. AS IF HE PLANNED IT!
3 hours ago
Very good idea, this film on Mintoff.
Well, that depends entirely on which light he was portrayed in.
QUICK HAVE A LOOK AT LUCIANO BUSUTTIL’S FACEBOOK PAGE!
UPPERCASE, DOES THIS MEAN YOU’RE SHOUTING. YOU THINK WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND START POSTING YODELS?
Any idea how to obtain or watch this movie? I would love to have my Italian husband watch this. When I relate my experience of those times I often sense a certain skepticism on his part on whether Mintoff was actually the ruthless dictator that I describe and, whats more, that it was all happening so close to Italy.
Talking about movies…watch this…
http://youtu.be/42Y1_PVAEiw
Great Leader with progressive ideas! He accepted all gays and separated the Church from state!! He accepted women voting!! He was the only leader who gave his heart to the needy in Malta! He was one of a kind and despite his harsh ways he always meant good for everyone!!
Oh hail Mintoff! People may reminiscence on those luxurious years. Wasn’t it enough enduring all that suffering and violence for a decade? Hitler’s biopic – take 2.
Who is playing the part of Mintoff? Is it Joseph Muscat?
I watched the movie this evening and I have to say it is the best Maltese production I’ve seen so far. Indeed, Bijografiji is a close match but frankly, only this film has had the balls to really paint Mintoff as he was.
Suffice it to say that the cinema theatre was almost full – and most of the attendees were young Labour supporters (I can name them but I prefer not). They did not forget to leave their Chav manners at home though. Whenever something which was not to their liking was said, they just started discussing the matter loudly for all the world and its brother to hear. Funny how at the end of the film, they kept saying: kemm kien tal-qamel, anke student tal-MCAST kapaci jaghmel ahjar.”
I would strongly suggest that the film – which is extremely balanced – be watched by all those who question whether people exaggerate when they speak of those years. Many things have been left but the film did pay homage to all those thousands – Labourites and Nationalists – who have suffered under Mintoff’s regime.
The concluding lines of the film (without giving it away) are like manna from heaven for people like me who have suffered. Of course, for the chavs watching the film this evening, they were outright lies.
Well done, Pierre Ellul. You had the courage to call a spade a spade.
This explains a thread of comments amongst a certain “alternative” crowd on Facebook. They are dissing the documentary as “piss poor” without declaring their bias.
This when film professionals, even at an international level, have commended the film for its high production value and technical competence. Whilst film reviewers have all given it the thumbs up.
The extreme reaction of two persons in particular is a dead give-away. One may not like the film, just like I might not like their music, but it doesn’t mean it is crap.
Even the film reviewers at It-Torca and KulHadd have shown more maturity. Tony Cassar Darien wrote in It-Torca: “Intervisti ….maghzula bil-galbu…. Il-kelliema …..huma xempju ta’ kif persuna ghandha tikkomunika…..koncizi minghajr hjiel ta’ senzazzjoni……..Filmati interessanti u informattivi….Minbarra il-valur storiku jolqtok emozzjonalment.”
In KulHadd Carmelo Bonnici wrote “Dear Dom hu dokumentarju tassew interessanti…xoghol li juri stampa hajja bit-tajjeb u il-hazin.”
One would have hoped that the younger Laburisti would be a tad open-minded and open to discussing our history in a more objective spirit. But it seems that there is no redemption for them.
Their bias is so ingrained that if one word is mentioned against their hero, they go on a rant and paint all black.
[Daphne – I think the more likely explanation is that it all came as a shock to them. They’re too young to have lived through those years and their parents and grandparents would have told them the lies they tell themselves. You really must understand that people in their teens and 20s who were raised by Laburisti have absolutely no way of knowing the facts. They are not motivated to look for those facts themselves, and nobody will have told them. They go to see that film, expecting the fairytale of heroism and glory on which they were raised, and wham! What a shock. Their reaction is actually typical of shocked disbelief: the negation of what you have seen or heard because you cannot process it.]