A short film made in partnership with global super-band Coldplay premiered on Friday, was partially filmed in Malta, and tells the story of a refugee’s hardship and challenges as he tries to make Malta his new home.
‘In-Between’ is a 12-minute short film set to the music from Coldplay’s 2024 album Moon Music and was filmed in Malta and Kenya by award-winning British Nigerian director Renee Maria Osubu. It was produced by Somesuch.
The film was made in partnership by Coldplay and Choose Love, a UK-based NGO that provides aid and support to refugees.
The director was consulted by two Maltese NGOs, Spark15 and RAAH.
Spark15 is an organisation which creates opportunities and a community for refugees and asylum seekers in Malta. RAAH, operating in Gozo and Malta, offers a platform for diaspora communities to express themselves through art and film.
Apart from the two main actors, the short film stars immigrants and refugees who are based in Malta and Gozo. Two of the cast members include Nagmeldeen Arbab and Dursa Mama Kadu, two of the co-founding members of Spark15.
Omar, the main character in the video, walking through a Maltese Palazzo. Photo: Still from YoutubeBoth starring as extras in the film, Arbab and Mama Kadu also narrate the video, speaking about their experiences of arriving in Malta and the challenges they face.
“I hope that this video will bring the public’s attention to how many challenges and issues our community faces, which go undocumented,” Arbab told Times of Malta.
“I hope it will open the eyes of the public and stakeholders to understand the psychological trauma and difficulties refugees experience.”
‘It wasn’t really a safe place’
In-Between tells the story of Omar, a young refugee from Ethiopia who is navigating his new life in Malta.
The video starts with a group of migrants, one seen holding a construction hat, waiting hesitantly at a bus stop. The next scenes show Omar working tirelessly, one moment on a construction site, and the next as a kitchen helper in a Maltese Palazzo.
Scenes also include Omar video calling his young family back in Ethiopia.
The scenes will be familiar to many migrant workers, many of whom face exploitation and discrimination at the workplace, being underpaid and ill-treated while working long hours. Few speak out of fear of losing their jobs, especially those who are undocumented.
Negmeldin Arbab speaking about Spark15 and his experience as a refugee in Malta. Photo: Still from YoutubeArbab and Dursa narrate their experiences of arriving in Malta and having “no idea” what to do. They talk about how much they missed their family and culture back home.
Despite people migrating for thousands of years, Arbab recalls how certain people do not see refugees as individuals.
“When we arrived in Malta, we basically were placed in detention,” he said.
“300 plus people, sleeping in one bed and showering once a week, and getting the same food. It wasn’t really a safe place.”
Yet despite the challenges, they both explain the importance of building a safe community that supports one another.
Dursa, in the stripped t-shirt, alongside the main actor and other supporting actors. Photo: Still from Youtube“Despite facing so many phases of injustices and bad treatment, it has also introduced me to extraordinary people,” Dursa said.
In one scene, Dursa is seen alongside the main actor, smiling.
“Life is so beautiful, but people are making it hard. It’s beautiful if you see it and you live in co-existence. There are so many people who care.”
The short film ends with details of Spark15 and a special contribution to the two NGO members.
‘No idea who Coldplay is’
Jasminder Odysanya, founder of RAAH, explained how filming took place in Malta last year, when crew and cast had a tight three days to capture all the footage they needed. She explained how Spark15 and RAAH acted as consultants to help build a community element around the film.
“We reached out to people in the community, some of whom also reside in Hal Far, to take part as background actors,” she explained.
Before filming began, both Odysanya and Arbab had no idea who was behind the music video–documentary.
Odysanya said she “freaked out” when the news came out that the film was for the multi-award-winning UK band.
Arbab, on the other hand, had a calmer approach.
“I honestly never heard of Coldplay before this project,” he said.
“But I was very excited to see that the story of our community was being told in this video.”
The film features Coldplay’s songs Moon Music, One World, and Alien Hits/Alien Radio.
A behind the scene snap of Dursa and Negmeldin during filming. Credit: Renee OsubuRecently graduating as an engineer, Arbab said he had a few acting experiences in Malta, yet he said he didn’t feel like he was acting during the short film.
“The whole experience felt very natural for me. We weren’t really acting, as this is what many people in our community experience every day. It is a story that presents our struggles, but also the strong sense of community we have built.”
Arbab said he hopes people will watch the video with an open mind, and truly understand the silent challenges migrants face.
Director Renne Maria Osubu said her experience of filming in Malta brought together like-minded people with shared experiences.
“Though we’re all proudly African, our diverse cultural backgrounds made the experience even richer. It was a joy to celebrate that blend,” she said.
She said she enjoyed shooting in one of her favourite coffee shops in Malta, a Ħamrun based Eritrean coffee shop.
She said it was sad that the disparities in how the refugee community in Malta is treated are very apparent.
” So having the chance to bring people from this community whether based in Gozo or Malta, to contribute to their own stories was extra special.”
Proceeds from In-Between will go to Choose Love, which will also support both Spark15 and RAAH.
A trailer for the film was first shown on Thursday night at the 10th anniversary of the Choose Love concert at the Royal Albert Hall.