Film enthusiasts in Malta will have the opportunity to attend the first local screening of Il Boemo (The Bohemian, 2022) on Wednesday, February 25 at the University of Malta’s Valletta Campus. The event, running from 6 to 9pm, will include a post-screening Q&A with the film’s director, Petr Václav.
Organised by the Department of Italian and the Master of Arts in Film Studies, the screening is bringing an internationally acclaimed European production to Maltese audiences for the first time.
Il Boemo stars Vojtěch Dyk in the role of Josef Mysliveček, the most celebrated Czech composer of the 18th century, who defied his family’s expectations and left Prague for Italy, then the beating heart of the operatic world.
In an era when Italian opera dominated European stages, Mysliveček carved out a remarkable career despite formidable personal and professional challenges.
The narrative follows his journey from outsider to celebrated composer, charting both his meteoric rise and the sacrifices demanded by artistic ambition.
Mysliveček became one of the most acclaimed composers of his time, admired by contemporaries across Europe, including a young Mozart.
Through lavish period detail and emotionally charged musical sequences, the film recreates the splendour and competitiveness of the 18th-century operatic milieu.
Praised internationally for its visual richness and musical intensity, Il Boemo has received critical acclaim for its sumptuous cinematography and meticulous historical reconstruction. Beyond its aesthetic achievements, the film explores themes of exile, identity and the price of artistic freedom, offering a nuanced portrayal of a composer navigating cultural displacement and personal reinvention.
“The film explores themes of exile, identity and the price of artistic freedom”
Following the screening, audiences will have the opportunity to engage directly with director Václav in a question-and-answer session. Known for his meticulous approach to historical storytelling, he is expected to discuss the extensive research behind the project, the challenges of recreating 18th-century opera on screen and the process of bringing Mysliveček’s complex character to life.
The discussion will also feature Walter Zidarič, professor at Université de Nantes, whose research focuses on Italian culture, particularly theatre and opera. His participation will provide further scholarly insight into the cultural and historical context that shaped Mysliveček’s career and the broader operatic landscape of the period.
By combining cinematic artistry with scholarly engagement, the evening promises not only a compelling film experience but also an opportunity for audiences to explore the intersections of music, history and film with the creators and experts behind the work.
The event is being held with the support of the Italian Embassy in Malta, the Italian Cultural Institute in Valletta and Com.It.Es Malta.
Admission is free and the event is open to the public.