Brothers from Malta.

What started as an experimental YouTube video in 2014 has developed into the first Maltese immigrant story to ever hit the big screen.

Maltese-Australian film director Julian Galea has teamed up with his brother, actor and magician James Galea, for the raucous road trip comedy, Brothers From Malta, which will have its Australian premiere with a live Q&A on November 30 at Ritz Cinemas Randwick at 7:00 pm, following selected screenings across Australia from Dec 1.

This is the third Maltese-themed film written, directed and produced by Galea following Love to Paradise (2017) and Made In Malta (2019) which were shot entirely on location in his motherland.

“The Maltese people have been unrepresented for too long. I feel a duty, obligation and responsibility as a storyteller to make these films and give us a voice,” said Galea.

Brothers From Malta tells the story of estranged immigrant brothers Joe and Charlie (Julian and James Galea), who must set aside their 7-year grudge and road trip across California with a gassy dog and precious family heirloom to fulfil their dying sister’s wish (Liza Galea). Through its fractured family dynamics and comedic relief, it explores a universal problem: families being torn apart.

“If the last few years of global uncertainty have taught us anything, it’s how important family is. Family connections that are so special and sacred. Family connections that we all need to fight for and hold onto,” said Galea.

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Galea admits that it all started as an experiment.

“A complete experiment. We improvised some scenes on my phone driving back to Sydney one day. I cut it together and put it on YouTube and it went nuts. So we made more. They kept wanting more. We knew we were onto something and had to make a movie with these characters. Eight years later, we finally did,” said Galea.

They didn’t let the gatekeepers hold them back even after they were unsuccessful with both federal and state funding.

“We were knocked back for funding from both Screen Australia and Create NSW so we put up our own money, got creative and wore a lot of hats to make it happen. We were then offered some hot desk space in LA which we definitely made the most of during pre-production,” said Galea.

Galea produced the film through his award-winning boutique studio Galea Pictures which is also distributing the title. This follows its theatrical release across Malta in September.

“There is an audience for this film and they are getting behind it. The Maltese community want to see themselves and their culture represented. And with a universal theme of family, I hope it will cross cultures too,” said Galea.

Tickets are now on sale for the Australian premiere on November 30 through Ritz Cinemas, Randwick. For information on select screenings across Australia from December 1, visit the Galea Pictures Official Website – galeapictures.net