‘Rabbit Stew’

Abstract

‘The history of childhood is a nightmare from which we have only recently begun to awaken.’ Rabbit Stew is not a story I chose to tell. Rather, it’s a story I had to tell. I felt I had to share my childhood story for multiple reasons. I wanted to make amends with my past, my village and my background. I wanted to find solace in growing up, moving away and embracing adulthood. I wanted to preserve my childhood in a truthful snapshot of my memories. I sought to find a resolution that best captures the traumatic experience of the moment I found out my friend was being sexually abused. Reproducing this experience in the most authentic way possible, was anything but easy. Not only were there budgetary constraints but it was the first-time experience for myself, most of my crew and my cast. Needless to say, together we pulled through and made it work, making this film one of the most challenging undertakings of my life to date. The shoot days were the best three days of my adult life. I lost sleep, sweat, blood and tears, but I gained experience, friendships and most of all; a voice. I am still in awe at the fact that I managed to find Cast and Crew members who believed so much in this project, that they volunteered their hours, resources and creativity. Film is a team effort, and this team was certainly the best one to embark on such an adventure with. Lastly, I cannot end without expressing my utmost gratitude to my tutor Dr Fabrizio Foni, as well as my lecturers Prof. Gloria Lauri Lucente, Prof. Saviour Catania and Dr Giselle Spiteri Miggiani, for their hard work and diligence at the University of Malta. Special thanks also goes to Lorna Pace and Frances Saliba at the Scholarships Unit as their help and support have truly been invaluable. This dissertation would not have been possible without the help of any of these people. Rabbit Stew was an experience that the team and I will not be forgetting any time soon!