‘We are 100% determined to get Toilers of the Sea done’

But the producers still hope to have a trailer on view at next year’s Cannes Festival.

Co-producers Joy Mellins and David Shanks returned to the island to give everyone concerned with the movie a personal update as to where things stand.

They also witnessed top music composer John Cameron, of Les Miserables fame, recording the theme song with local girl Elle Lovering.

They said the delay in filming was actually something of a blessing in disguise, and has been brought about by the loss of filming time in specialist effects water tanks in Malta.

The couple, who have secured guaranteed financial support from Malta and the British Film Institute, explained where matters stand with regard to financing the independent film and timings.

‘Our schedule had slipped slightly primarily because we have to a large part of the filming in the large tank in Malta and we had a very heavy pencil on it for October/November,’ Mr Shanks said.

‘We got a call just recently that a major film studio wanted to take our booking.

‘Malta were very good and said “it is yours, but obviously we need to take a large deposit from you’’.

‘But to be honest until we have raised all the money for the film we could not risk putting a deposit down on the tank, so we have agreed to shift until after Easter next year.’

The producers insist, however, they will get the film done.

They remain determined to film most of it in the island during the early part of next year.

‘The idea is to shoot in Guernsey before Easter next year and then move to Malta after Easter.

‘That is our primary aim,’ said Mr Shanks.

Although frustrated, the couple say the delay is a positive in a way because it has given them the opportunity to come back.

‘Trying to arrange funding over Zoom is not the sort of conversation you want. You need to meet people in person,’ said Ms Mellins.

‘We want to get the momentum going again and this trip is about letting everyone know and reminding them that we still have this film that is going to get made.’

The couple are delighted with the support from both Malta and the BFI.

‘We have an interim certificate from Malta informing us that we are eligible to receive the 40% rebate and we have the same interim certificate from the BFI, who again are stating we are eligible for the 25% tax incentive.

‘What this does it offsets quite a substantial portion of the budget and reduces the equity which ultimately reduces the risk.

‘It does not get rid of the risk, there is always the risk, but it does reduce it.’

The total budget for the movie, including contingencies due to Covid, comes in at about £16m., but the producers believe they can shave that down a little, and the estimates on sales numbers, received from two separate sources, range from £17m. to £25m.

‘We still need to raise about £10m. And in very round terms if we managed to raise £10m. in equity and £5m. in soft money, it means for those investors that we only have to raise £10m. to get their money back,’ added Mr Shanks.

‘We were at the height of enthusiasm, confidence and momentum in January and we had got a lot of things lined up, then you had your outbreak over here

‘We effectively left the island at exactly the moment we did not want to.

‘We are 100% determined to get this done. We feel a bit like Gilliat [the Toilers of the Sea hero] in that we are taking on the impossible challenge.

‘We have some hit some bumps, but we are stubborn and we really are going to make this happen.

‘We are trying to re-energise and bring back the momentum we had at the start of the year.’