@lovinmaltaofficial: “26 years ago you could say, in a funny way, you could say I became a man in Malta.” These were mega actor and film director Russell Crowe’s words as he accepted the Film Legend Award during the  Golden Bee Awards ceremony as part of the Mediterrane Film Festival. The event took place at Fort Manoel, in Gzira. The 61-year-old New Zealander explained that none of the films he shot before Gladiator had the same majesty, vision, budget and reach as the 2000 film. “I say I became a man because I had to fight every day for the integrity of the character I was playing, just like the journey of the character in the movie.” Crowe went on to say that a privilege of the industry is making things that resonate with people, and he recounted a time when he brought a Maltese lifeguard to tears just by shaking his hand. ust a week ago, Crowe was leaving a restaurant at night when a young man recognised him and asked for a photo. Crowe shook his hand and the man started to cry. His tears only intensified and so, Crowe hugged him. When he was able to pull himself together, the man explained that when he was just eight years old, his mother sat him in front of the TV and played Gladiator. She told him that Maximus, the character Crowe played - was the type of man she expected her son to become. “It’s this type of man - the honour, the integrity, the faith - a man made in Malta.” The audience erupted in cheers as he closed off his award speech beautifully. Sunday’s ceremony also saw Euphoria actress Barbie Ferreira take home the Rising Star award, while British producer Jeremy Thomas was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Pierre Agius and Joseph Formosa Randon were both recognised with the Career Achievement Award. The Best Feature Film prize was awarded to Where the Wind Comes From, a Tunisian-French-Qatari production directed by Amel Guellaty. Footage: @Variety_PatS on X.

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Monday 30 June 2025 12:45:00 GMT