Washington DC [US], June 30: Actor and director Russell Crowe made a heartfelt return to Malta, the island where he famously shot Gladiator, as he accepted the Malta Film Legend Award at the Mediterrane Film Festival’s Golden Bee Awards, Variety reported.
“If you want to know what I love about Malta, it’s everything,” said Crowe, reflecting on the significance of shooting Gladiator over two decades ago. “26 years ago, in a funny way, I became a man in Malta.”
Crowe reminisced about the film’s demanding production, describing how he fought daily to protect the integrity of his character, mirroring the journey of Maximus in the movie. He emphasized that Gladiator was a turning point in his career, not just in scope and ambition, but in how it resonated with audiences globally.
He shared a touching moment from a recent trip to Italy, where a young man, now a head lifeguard, broke down in tears upon meeting him.
“He told me, ‘When I was 8, my mom played Gladiator and said, ‘This is the kind of man I want you to become.’ The honor, the integrity — a man made in Malta,” Crowe said.
The Golden Bee award for Best Feature Film went to Tunisia’s Where the Wind Comes From, with lead actress Eya Bellaga winning Best Performance. Julio Medem earned Best Screenwriting for 8, which also bagged the Jury’s Choice award. The Mare Nostrum award went to Miyazaki: Spirit of Nature.
Also honoured were Jeremy Thomas (The Last Emperor) with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Pierre Agius and Joseph Formosa Randon with Career Achievement Awards for their contributions to Malta’s film landscape.
The festival saw a vibrant mix of global industry professionals and locals gather for outdoor screenings of iconic films shot in Malta, including Popeye, Troy, Clash of the Titans, Malta Story, and the upcoming Gladiator II.