Ronny Sianturi
Veteran filmmaker Renny Harlin has once again graced the shores of Malta, a return that stirs both professional pride and personal nostalgia. Harlin, a Finnish director with a career spanning decades and a significant impact on the action and thriller genres, was present on the Mediterranean island last week for the Mediterrane Film Festival. The festival served as the platform for the screening of his latest project, the shark thriller Deep Water, which features a notable cast including Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley. However, it was Harlin’s own blockbuster experience, the 1995 pirate adventure Cutthroat Island, that first cemented his connection with Malta, a locale that has become a veritable hub for Hollywood’s most ambitious productions, including monumental franchises like Gladiator and Jurassic Park.
During his masterclass on directing, held within the vibrant festival hub in Valletta, Harlin expressed his profound appreciation for Malta, describing it as "the best-kept secret." His sentiments, shared with Collider‘s Steven Weintraub, underscored a sentiment that resonates deeply with many in the film industry: Malta’s unparalleled potential as a filming destination often goes underestimated by the wider public. "People don’t realize how incredible this place is," Harlin remarked, highlighting the island’s unique blend of historical architecture, diverse landscapes, and robust film infrastructure.
A Career Retrospective and a Glimpse into the Future
The masterclass conversation provided an extensive journey through Harlin’s illustrious career, tracing his path from his early directorial efforts to his most recent endeavors. The discussion culminated in a forward-looking perspective, focusing on his upcoming film, The Beast. Set for an October release, this high-octane thriller stars acclaimed actors Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman.
Penned by Umair Aleem, The Beast plunges audiences into a perilous scenario where Jackson portrays the President of the United States. The narrative unfolds as the President finds himself trapped within his heavily armored presidential limousine, famously known as "the Beast," during a sophisticated and violent coup orchestrated by a hostile militia. To ensure his survival and thwart the attackers, the President must tap into the vehicle’s top-secret offensive capabilities and fight his way back to safety, thereby safeguarding his nation.
Harlin described the film as "a really unusual movie and quite a brilliant script," promising an immediate and impactful cinematic experience. "It opens with the biggest action scene you’ve ever seen," he told Weintraub and a captivated audience. "The audience realizes that we are in a world summit like a G7 meeting with all the world leaders, and there’s been a humongous terrorist attack. It’s never really explained who the terrorists are or what nationality they are or anything like that, but there’s been an attempt on the lives of several presidents. They have to get Sam Jackson into the Beast, which is his safe, bulletproof, explosion-proof vehicle and get him the hell out of there before he’s killed. And one thing leads to another."
The Enduring Partnership with Samuel L. Jackson and a Star-Making Turn for Joel Kinnaman
The Beast marks a significant milestone, representing the fourth collaboration between Renny Harlin and the iconic Samuel L. Jackson. Their professional relationship dates back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, with previous successful partnerships on films such as The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), Deep Blue Sea (1999), and Cleaner (2007). This established rapport is expected to bring a powerful dynamic to their latest venture.
In The Beast, Jackson’s President is not alone in his fight for survival. He is joined by a "badly wounded" Secret Service agent, brought to life by Joel Kinnaman. Kinnaman, an actor with a diverse and impressive filmography that includes For All Mankind, Altered Carbon, and The Suicide Squad, is poised for a career-defining performance, according to Harlin. "It’s the story of these two guys in a car trying to survive," Harlin explained, "and I dare to say that it’s a very exciting movie, a very action-packed movie and a very unusual movie that has a very beautiful, happy ending."
Harlin expressed his strong belief in Kinnaman’s potential to captivate audiences, stating, "I’d like to think that this movie is really going to make Joel’s career. People are going to be stunned when they see his performance." This sentiment suggests a pivotal role for Kinnaman, one that will showcase his range and intensity.
The Indestructible Beast: A Character in Itself
A significant element of The Beast‘s allure lies in the titular vehicle, which Harlin described with palpable enthusiasm. The presidential limousine is not merely a mode of transportation but a formidable, almost sentient, entity. "It’s indestructible," Harlin elaborated. "No matter what missiles they send its way, they can’t destroy the car. They just keep going, and then it has some weapons that we’ll never know [about]. I don’t think anybody can prove whether it has these weapons or not, but this one does."
The narrative cleverly positions the President, who is accustomed to a more passive role within the secure confines of the Beast, as an unlikely protagonist forced to master its complex systems. "The president has never done anything but smoked a cigar in the back of the car so he doesn’t know how any of these things work," Harlin revealed. "There’s all these computer panels and weapons and things that he’s trying to figure out how to work them and he can’t get in touch with the headquarters and he’s all alone there, so it just becomes this incredible survival story." The dynamic between the President’s unfamiliarity with the vehicle’s advanced features and the desperate need to deploy them creates a compelling tension. "This is my fourth movie with Sam, and the relationship between him and Joel Kinnaman is exceptional," Harlin added, underscoring the critical chemistry between the two leads.
Malta: A Timeless Backdrop for Cinematic Grandeur
Harlin’s return to Malta is not merely a personal pilgrimage but also a testament to the island’s enduring appeal within the global film production landscape. Malta’s strategic location in the Mediterranean, coupled with its diverse architectural styles—ranging from ancient fortifications to modern structures—and its varied natural scenery, provides a versatile canvas for filmmakers. The island’s commitment to fostering its film industry, offering incentives and a supportive environment, has attracted numerous international productions over the years.
The Mediterrane Film Festival itself plays a crucial role in highlighting Malta’s cinematic significance. By bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts, the festival serves as a platform for showcasing new talent, celebrating established careers, and discussing the future of filmmaking. Harlin’s presence and his insightful discussions further solidify Malta’s reputation as a significant player in the international film circuit.
The Broader Implications for Malta’s Film Industry
The consistent presence of filmmakers like Renny Harlin, and the ongoing success of productions filmed on the island, have a tangible economic and cultural impact on Malta. Beyond the direct revenue generated by film shoots, the industry contributes to job creation, skills development, and the promotion of Malta as a unique and desirable destination. The island’s ability to attract major Hollywood productions speaks to its competitive advantages, including its skilled workforce, state-of-the-art facilities, and appealing tax rebate schemes.
As Harlin himself noted, Malta remains "the best-kept secret" for many. However, events like the Mediterrane Film Festival, and the continued success of films shot there, are steadily bringing this secret into the global spotlight. The narrative of The Beast, with its intense action and high stakes, promises to be another cinematic offering that may have a significant portion of its visual identity tied to Malta’s distinctive charm, further enhancing its profile as a premier filming location. The ongoing synergy between international filmmaking and Malta’s burgeoning cultural landscape suggests a bright future for both the island and the creative professionals who choose it as their cinematic home.
