Mgarr Ix-Xini Bay and its environs will be closed to the public from next Monday to November 10 because of film shooting.

The Home Affairs Ministry and the Ministry of Tourism said the film (By the Sea - Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt) would generate millions of euro and have a major economic impact for Gozo and the Gozitans.

 

The media interest which film-shooting in Malta was generating would also have a positive impact on tourism.

However this economic benefit and the work it was creating would not be possible without the public’s cooperation, the ministries said. They thanked all concerned.

The closure of Mgarr Ix-Xini was initially thought to be shorter, with the prime minister having been reported as saying on July 3 that it would be closed 'for a few days.'

He said the film would put Gozo on the map and it will be a very good advert for the island.

The Daily Mail had reported that Pitt and Jolie had rented out Rew Rew, a beach shack at the water's edge in Mgarr ix-Xini for the summer, paying the owners thousands to shut up shop.

Brangelina wanted unfettered access to the beach while they filmed By The Sea, the newspaper said.

Most of the film set has already been built and filming will start in the coming days.