Luzzu (2021)
87%RT Audience Score: 73%
Awards & Nominations: 5 wins & 13 nominations
Beautifully filmed and emotionally impactful, Luzzu uses one man’s story to capture the struggles of a region at a cultural crossroads.
LUZZU is a film that will make you want to pack your bags and head to Malta to become a fisherman. Okay, maybe not, but it will definitely make you appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into the job. The film tells the story of Jesmark, a Maltese fisherman, and his struggle to keep his livelihood afloat in the face of economic pressures. The performances are authentic and the cinematography is stunning, making you feel like you’re right there on the boat with Jesmark. While it may not be the most revolutionary film out there, LUZZU is definitely worth a watch for its heart and soul.
Production Company(ies)
Jigsaw Productions, Wider Film Projects Below The Radar Entertainment,
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2022
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 35m
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Language(s):Maltese, English
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Country of origin:Malta
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 15, 2021 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 14, 2022
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Luzzu, drama, Maltese, fishing, boat, cultural crossroads, hardworking, Jesmark Scicluna, Michela Farrugia, David Scicluna, Frida Cauchi, Uday McLean, Stephen Buhagiar, directed by Alex Camilleri, written by Alex Camilleri, produced by Rebecca Anastasi, Ramin Bahrani, Alex Camilleri, Oliver Mallia, Kino Lorber, box office gross $39.7K, MPAA rating, reviewed by Edward Porter, Ed Potton, Wendy Ide, Lucy Vipond, Phuong Le, William Repass, Cody Dericks, Kevin Wight, Emily Maskell, Markie Robson-Scott, Rob Aldam, starring Jesmark Scicluna, Michela Farrugia, David Scicluna, Frida Cauchi, Uday McLean, Stephen Buhagiar, Rebecca Anastasi, Ramin Bahrani, Alex Camilleri, Oliver Mallia
Worldwide gross: $39,948
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $39,948
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,095
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 4,356
US/Canada gross: $39,948
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $39,948
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,769
US/Canada opening weekend: $2,394
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $2,394
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,847
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Michela Farrugia – Denise
David Scicluna – David
Frida Cauchi – Carmen
Uday McLean – Uday
Stephen Buhagiar – Jesmark’s boss
Director(s)
Alex Camilleri
Writer(s)
Alex Camilleri
Producer(s)
Rebecca Anastasi, Ramin Bahrani, Alex Camilleri, Oliver Mallia
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 13 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (58) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (58)
Resembling a Ken Loach film with added sunshine, Alex Camilleri’s drama shows someone struggling against economic pressures in Malta.
June 2, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Edward Porter
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Camilleri combines the pathos and character development of an indie film with moments of real tension — not something you can often say about the world of fishing.
June 2, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Ed Potton
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Driven by the muscular authenticity of the central performances.
May 28, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The film achieves what it intends to, but perhaps lacks personality.
May 24, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Lucy Vipond
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
An emotionally wrenching work…
May 23, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Phuong Le
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Fresh, if not revolutionary.
December 2, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4
William Repass
Slant Magazine
TOP CRITIC
While the ground the movie covers may be well-trodden, it is still an engaging film that goes to show why these types of stories never lose their potency.
July 7, 2022 | Rating: 6/10
Cody Dericks
Next Best Picture
A super-authentic drama about the fishing industry in Malta starring Maltese fishermen, it’s a gorgeous but entirely clear-eyed depiction of a dwindling livelihood.
June 5, 2022 | Rating: 4
Kevin Wight
The Wee Review
This heartfelt ode to life on the water from writer-director Alex Camilleri is as stoic in its execution as it is observant
May 29, 2022
Emily Maskell
WeLoveCinema
This terrifically atmospheric, almost documentary-like film tells the story of Jesmark, a real-life Maltese fisherman (Jesmark Scicluna). It also encapsulates a dying culture.
May 27, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Markie Robson-Scott
The Arts Desk
An impressive first feature which highlights an important societal issue in an engaging way.
May 23, 2022
Rob Aldam
Backseat Mafia
Reflects the bitter change of times, the progressive loss of tradition, and the rampant viciousness of capitalism in a dehumanizing atmosphere that will leave no one indifferent.
January 15, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Filipe Freitas
Always Good Movies…
Plot
In Luzzu, a Maltese fisherman named Jesmark must decide whether to repair his leaky traditional fishing boat or decommission it for an EU payout and join a black-market operation that is destroying the Mediterranean fish population and the livelihoods of local families.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film Luzzu on Fresh Kernels.
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