"Memories of Malta", The National Archives of Malta

Genre: Documentary
Content: ‘Memories of Malta’ is a home movie created by Leonard William Frederick Brown (1913-2005). Born in Middlesex in the UK, a quantity surveyor was posted to serve in Malta in 1958, along with the family. While in Malta, Mr. Brown was part of the Malta Amateur Cine Circle, which inspired him to create the film titled ‘Memories of Malta.’ The filming took place in various locations around Malta and was put together upon the family’s return to the UK, where Mr. Brown decided to physically add commentary and music to his standard 8mm film by recording a separate ¼-inch audio reel, which was meant to play on separate devices at the same time. Today, both the film and audio reels have been digitized to play together in sync. This film, along with digitized photographs, has been donated to the National Archives of Malta by the family of Leonard William Frederick Brown. The film portrays Malta on the eve of its independence (1964) as seen by an outsider who is also in the employ of the colonizing country. One may discern several issues in the complex and dynamic relationships marking an island fortress and a colony of an empire in decline.
Year: 1962
Country: Malta
Date: 22 October, 18:00