Zejtune

A sun-drenched and highly engaging music-driven drama from Malta about a young woman’s encounter with an ageing folk singer – and the power of music to unite fates and generations.

After her mother’s death, the rebellious Mar is determined to leave Malta for good. When she discovers that her mother owned land on the island, she is forced into a dispute with her relatives, hoping to secure enough money for a fresh start abroad. Along the way, she meets the elderly singer Nenu, and their shared road trips between the scattered plots begin to open up thoughts of alternative paths forward. Alex Camilleri follows up festival favourite Luzzu with a warm, intergenerational story of friendship and a heartfelt tribute to the Maltese folk-singing tradition għana.

• Johan Blomqvist