Filming in Greece

Greek Destinations captured on Blockbuster films   The Greek Islands have many a time been chosen as filming locations. Their blue and turquoise-hued waters and bright sunlight have starred in various blockbuster movies.Hollywood musical ‘Mamma Mia! The Movie’ (2008) was shot on Skopelos and Skiathos Islands and on the east Mt. Pelion shores. The film’s settings include lush landscapes, deep blue waters, idyllic beaches and the lovely local architecture. Amorgos and Ios Islands were used as filming locations in Luc Besson’s 1988 big success, ‘Le Grand Bleu’. The film stands out for its breathtaking underwater shots, and is set partly in Amorgos’ Chora, the island’s white capital town, and the spectacular monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa, clinging to a steep cliff.

In the Greek West, the Ionian Islands have also had their share of cinematic fame. Kefalonia Island, in particular Sami area, has been the filming location for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001). The film has received excellent reviews for making the most of the blue-green hues of the Ionian Sea. Cosmopolitan Corfu Island has also seen the likes of celebrity secret agents such as James Bond in the 1981 film ‘For Your Eyes Only’. The film features historic and breathtaking Old Fortress, Achilleion Palace and picturesque green Kalami village. Greece’s biggest island, Crete is where ‘Zorba the Greek’ (1964) was shot. Among the filming locations are the beautiful Venetian Harbour in Chania town, Stavros village (where Zorbas’ dance scene was shot) and Akrotiri Peninsula.

Angela Christopoulou