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International Locations: Historical and Cultural
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It’s possible to find historical scenes in modern culture - and find cultural scenes in historical locations. Whether shooting a period feature or seeking to capture a rich, distinctive environment, travelling abroad will always pay dividends. They say the past is a foreign country – surely that’s something to take advantage of?
Europe
Europe’s rich history and culture provide a series of compelling locations, scattered right across the continent. From the Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo, Norway, to the Moorish Alhambra Palace in Granada, southern Spain, Europe offers a startling variety of styles. So what are you looking for?
In France many regions are especially rich with history and culture: the resplendent medieval cathedrals and country houses of the Loire Valley; spectacular areas in the environs of Paris, with everything from private artists’ home-studios to grand flamboyant palaces; the mountainous Midi-Pyrenees and the tropical Cote d’Azur are all well-known. These have recently seen feature films shot including Marie-Antoinette, The Da Vinci Code and The Iron Mask.
Germany has an overwhelming array of historical buildings - a multitude of castles, monasteries, cathedrals and churches. Many of these have already been used as locations, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s Neuschwanstein, the breathtaking Lindferhof, and the Versaillesque Nymphenburg in Munich. In addition to these world famous castles there are hundreds of privately-owned properties that have recently been made available. The establishment of a local agency, Castle Cast, has been set up to deal with the influx of productions to the popular Bavarian region.
Deeper cultural roots are reflected in the Roman ruins scattered throughout Italy and in Rome itself, and in the Viking settlements in Trelleborg, Sweden.
For some Slavic style, travel to the circle of ancient historical cities and towns around Moscow. Known as the Golden Ring, these ancient settlements feature buildings that are uniquely and indubitably Russian. They are a far cry from the classic Renaissance architecture to be found in towns like Ferrara, Bologna and Parma, deep within Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. And they are even further from Spain’s magnificent 15th century cathedral in Seville, which Ridley Scott used in the recent film Kingdom Of Heaven. Spain’s history is as much Muslim as it is Christian, and there are plenty of Islamic buildings which still survive. The Mezquita mosque, in Córdoba, is one example.
Extremely low production costs outside western Europe are making central and eastern european countries an attractive cheaper option for filmmakers. The Czech Republic has more than 2,000 preserved historic period castles and chateaux, the highest density in the world. Romania, Estonia and Hungary all have comprehensive historical ranges – you can mix and match between these countries as you wish. Examples include the French and German architectural style which made Bucharest the ‘Paris of the 1930s’, Tallinn’s unspoiled pearls of 14th-16th century Gothic architecture, and the industrial landscapes and imposing buildings from the communist period in Romania and Hungary.
Poland may no longer be cheap, but it is still exceptionally good value, with a great variety of historical locations. They run from the reconstructed Iron Age village of Biskupin in Poland, via the renaissance architecture of Cracow and Zamosc, to Lodz and its Soviet-era industrialised, 20th century landscapes.
Greece has every kind of historical site - from ancient ruins, through Byzantine churches and castles, medieval fortresses and late 19th century coastal towns, to modern cities. Pulsating cosmopolitan centres contrast with more conservative culture in the extremely distinctive villages, where life goes on unchanged by modern developments.
Middle East
Turkey may be negotiating entry into the EU, but its locations transcend any continental classification. The capital is especially noteworthy: Istanbul, Constantinople, Byzantium - these three names alone reveal it to be one of the great historical cities of the world. Every period of the history of this ancient city can be found at this great cultural and geographical crossroads. The city has many religious buildings, including the ornate structure of the Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque and the Fatih Mosque Complex, built between 1464 and 1470, which features a library, hospital, various tombs and even a market. The bustling Grand Bazaar is one of the busiest covered markets in the world, with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. With 400,000 visitors every day, you won’t be short of extras.
For Arab culture, try the United Arab Emirates. Dubai has a range of religious buildings, including Jumeirah Mosque, the largest and finest. Dubai Creek, just outside the city, provides a reminder of what life was like for merchants before the city’s huge developments overtook the area.
It may be a vast understatement to say that the Middle East plays host to one of the most unique locations of all, but it does – the Holy Land. The burgeoning Israeli film industry, which is now beginning to encourage foreign filmmakers, boasts a host of locations whose historical significance need little explanation: Jerusalem, Jaffa and Acre are all available for filming.
Africa
Many parts of North Africa are appropriate as doubles for Middle Eastern locations, should the region’s instability prove off-putting. Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco all maintain Arabic characteristics, along with traditional bazaars and other cultural African signatures. The Souk in Fes typifies the eclectic culture - a huge market in the oldest part of the city where donkeys have right of way. In the intricate maze of lanes it’s possible to buy everything from meat, fish and spices to carpets, ceramics and woven materials. The atmosphere of the Souk can be found all over Moroccan cities and towns like Marrakech, Rabat, Essaouira and El Jadida, powerfully mixing culture and history. Be warned when travelling through the country though – the Moroccans have a reputation for being exceptionally generous, friendly and hospitable.
Alluring landmarks, dating back to the 16th century, can be found on the Canary Islands, including film-friendly La Laguna. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features colonial-style buildings and classical public buildings, squares and churches. La Laguna easily matches Latin American locations: in September 2005 it was used to recreate Buenos Aires in the 1950s. The island also has many picturesque old villages, listed buildings, pre-Hispanic remains, stepped pyramids and a number of historic castles along the waterfront.
The many tours and safaris in Kenya offer plentiful access to the country’s people and culture. Tribes like the Kikuyu, who intensively maintain their homelands in the foothills of Mount Kenya, live exactly as they have for hundreds of years. The Maasai tribe can be found in the south of the country; they too have not strayed from their basic, traditional way of life. Part of their staple diet is cow’s blood and milk, which they mix together and drink.
Asia/Australia
The film centres of Singapore and Hong Kong are well established stopping-off points for anyone needing to capture Asian culture. They are vibrant cities where East meets West, with a cosmopolitan outlook embracing the Chinese traditions and festivals of South-East Asia. The Civic District of Singapore and Hong Kong’s bustling shops were recently used in the TV film House Of Harmony, the latter boasting a familiar range of street markets, temples, monasteries and spectacular festivals. Timing a visit with Chinese New Year, the Birthday of Buddha and the Basin Banquet is advised to make the most of what these cities have to offer.
Indonesia’s wider geographical scope means more exploration is required to find its many historical features, but it’s worth the effort. The country’s culture is a fusion of Chinese and Indian cultural influences – with relics of 19th century Dutch colonialism thrown into the mix as well. Borobudur Temple in Java is the world’s largest Buddhist monument. Situated on a hill on the Kedu Plain, 42 kilometres to the west of Yogyakarta, it is the best known of the hundreds of stone monuments from the early classic period of Javanese civilization.
Dili in East Timor retains mediterranean aspects with stunning sunsets and a gleaming white cathedral.
Australia is full of interesting and dynamic cultural features. The Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory contains many old aboriginal art sites – a place of rich natural resources whose soil has maintained human life for tens of thousands of years. South Australia has many picturesque buildings and towns, and Victoria possesses many examples of grand 19th century architecture. If push comes to shove, there’s always the famous Ayers Rock/Uluru or the grand old Sydney Opera House.
New Zealand’s Dunedin has a very large concentration of Victorian and Edwardian stone buildings, built in a period of local prosperity during an exciting chapter of architectural history. Look for the Italianate lines of the Municipal Chambers and Law Courts, and for the Anglican Cathedral’s shining Gothic Revival style, built in Oamuru stone.
The Americas
Latin American states feature numerous old colonial cities like Merida, Izamal and Valladolid in Mexico, which still retain a slightly abandoned atmosphere.
At least their vivacious nightlife makes it easy to capture the stylistic features of bars and clubs found in many old Westerns. The Caribbean too possesses well-preserved examples of colonial architecture, together with fine military buildings and old forts that echo the islands’ strategic importance to the British in centuries past.
Central US states like Montana have many old ghost towns that look as they did over 100 years ago. Examples include Nevada City, Virginia City and Marysville - unchanging monuments to the American spirit of commercialism. The deep South is a culture unto itself, with some areas virtually unchanged since the Civil War. Ornate mansions surrounded by lush gardens, cotton gins and sugar mills – such places were common and many can still be found in the state of Louisiana.
Long before the United States was formed, the Americas were endowed with a rich cultural heritage. The Mayans occupied much of central America for 1,000 years each side of the birth of Jesus Christ; by the time Spanish conquistadors came bearing news of his birth in the sixteenth century much of their civilisation had entered into decline. Many monumental ceremonial spaces constructed in the previous millennia still survive - like the ornate palace at Cancuén, as well as the now ruined cities of Coba and Palenque. Equally impressive are the Inca sites in South America at Machu Picchu in the Andean mountains. The ‘wow’ factor of these sites is beyond description, but it’s certainly the kind of sight that cinematographers dreams of.
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