The Costa del Sol, a cinema destination

The Costa del Sol has been, for decades, a privileged destination for the film industry. Its stunning landscapes, ranging from golden sand beaches to rugged mountains and whitewashed villages, have captured the attention of filmmakers around the world. Both Hollywood productions and European and Spanish cinema have found the ideal setting for their stories in the region, providing a unique touch to each filming.

In this report, from ONCESOLES we explore how the Costa del Sol has conquered the big screen, serving as a backdrop for renowned films, international series and local productions. From blockbusters to more independent projects, we break down some of the most iconic works filmed in this sunny region, highlighting their contribution to the world of cinema.

Malaga: a booming film set

We will start with the capital of the Costa del Sol. A city that has gained notoriety as a film destination. Not only because it celebrates one of the most important film festivals in Spain, but because its landscapes and monuments have served as a natural setting for a good handful of film titles.

In 1967, the James Bond film ‘You Only Live Twice’, the fifth installment of the famous Ian Fleming saga, was filmed when Agent 007 was played by Scottish actor Scean Connery. Although part of the action took place in Japan, the production company encountered problems filming in the forests of the Asian country. Finally, Málaga and Alhaurín de la Torre were chosen.

Also the film directed by one of the city’s most famous sons, Antonio Banderas. The famous Malaga actor went behind the cameras for the second time to direct ‘The Way of the English’, a film inspired by the novel of the same name by Antonio Soler, filmed entirely in his hometown. In the cast, led by actors such as Victoria Abril, Alberto Amarilla, Juan Diego, Fran Perea and Mario Casas, you can identify iconic Malaga locations such as Calle Granada, the El Pimpi bar, Calle Mármoles and the emblematic Plaza de la Merced.

And not just movies, also series. In fact, it was one of the last productions to be recorded in the city. This is The Girl in the Snow, a 6-episode miniseries produced by Netflix. Based on a thriller by Javier Castillo, in the first season it was recorded in locations such as El Palo, the Center of Málaga or Sacaba.

Marbella: glamor on the big screen

The stunning beauty of Marbella serves as an irresistible backdrop for visual storytelling. The picturesque Old Town, with its narrow cobblestone streets dotted with flowers and charming architecture, adds an authentic touch to any production. It is, furthermore, the city par excellence of luxury on the Costa del Sol. Thus, it has been a reference point for international productions. Chosen by none other than James Bond himself in 1983 with the film ‘Never Say Never Again’, the city was the scene of Sean Connery’s return as the iconic British spy, he starred in scenes in luxurious villas that highlighted the opulence of the city.

But it was also the location of some scenes from the French comedy ‘The Knights of Heaven’ (2005) and several Spanish productions that seek to capture its cosmopolitan and elegant air. In 2010 the renowned Netflix series ‘The Queen of the South’ traveled to the city to film choosing locations such as the Marina la Bajilla port in Marbella, the Marbella Club beach, the Faro beach, the famous Plaza de la Iglesia and, of course, the prestigious Puerto Banús.

The latest productions have not only been recorded in the city but Marbella is the main protagonist. This is the case of ‘Los Farad’, one of Amazon Prime’s biggest hits, where a family that is dedicated to arms trafficking settles in the city. It is recorded in locations such as the Marbella Club hotel and the Don Carlos. New episodes of the international series Black Mirror have also been recorded in places such as Puerto Banús, Turtle Lake (Nueva Andalucía) and Ojén (on the A-355 highway).

Benalmádena and Torremolinos: cinema classics from the 60s and 70s

During the 1960s and 1970s, Benalmádena and Torremolinos witnessed the filming of various productions that sought to capture the charm of the Mediterranean. In that decade Torremolinos was the recording space for a long list of films such as ‘Where you are’ (1963), ‘Amor a la español’ (1966), ‘Faustina’ (1967) or ‘Days of old color’ (1967). .

Famous for its vibrant atmosphere, it became the backdrop for ‘Torremolinos 73’ (2003), a Spanish comedy-drama starring Javier Cámara and Candela Peña, which humorously portrays the aspirations of a couple who ventures into erotic cinema. during the tourist boom of the 70s.

This production was also recorded, like many others, at the emblematic Tivoli World. In Torremolinos 73, Candela Peña together with Mads Mikkelsen recorded the most particular scene in the amusement park.

Benalmádena has also been the setting for films such as ‘The Woman is a Good Business’ (1976), Prime Time (2008), Back to Benalmádena (2009) or No Return (2022).

Among the authorized recordings are series such as ‘We’ve almost arrived’, ‘Sexy Beast’, ‘The Paradise’ or ‘Los Farad’, a fiction short film, the television programs ‘A place in the sun’ and ‘Se B&B of Love’, an advertisement for the BMV automobile chain or the filming of different scenes by the production company Isla Audiovisual.

Mijas and Fuengirola: the charm of the white towns and the sea

Mijas, one of the most visited white towns in Andalusia, has also been the protagonist in various productions. The aforementioned series ‘Los Farad’ also left its mark in Mijas. Among the recognizable locations for the filming of this series, we find a scene on Louison Bobet Avenue, in the Mijas Golf urbanization. And another of the locations filmed in Mijas is found very close to the Calaburras Lighthouse, in Villa Moana.

Thus, it is the setting for series such as ‘We’re almost there’, ‘Sexy Beast’, ‘The Paradise’ or the television shows ‘A place in the sun’ and ‘Se B&B of Love’. In the neighboring municipality, Fuengirola, you have to go back to the 50s to remember one of the first productions in the city. A musical number from the film ‘ takes place on the beach in FuengirolaCabriola’ in which Marisol performs one of the main songs. A place that was also a scene in the movie ‘Visit’.

Much of the series ‘Kosta The Paradise’ about the investigation of the murder of a Finnish family, takes place in Fuengirola, known as ‘Little Finland’ due to the Nordic colony of more than 15,000 people established in the area.

Estepona: a movie destination

Estepona has been chosen as the setting for various film and television productions due to its natural landscapes, its Andalusian charm and its modern tourist infrastructure. Although not as well known as Marbella or Malaga in terms of mass productions, the city has been gaining popularity as an ideal set for both national and international filming.

This is the case of ‘Fedra’, filmed entirely in Estepona, where it tells the story of Estrella, a wild young woman, who is coveted by all men and, therefore, hated by women. Also films like ‘The Red Bikini’ (1996), a romantic comedy co-produced by Spain and Germany that narrates from the city the love affairs of German tourists on the Costa del Sol.

The Disney company also set Estepona to film the series Rivales, based on the best-selling novel by Jilly Cooper. Although it is not entirely recorded in the city, as it was also filmed in Malaga, most of the scenes are captured in Estepona.

Manilva and Casares: coastal towns of cinema

The last corner of the Costa del Sol has also been chosen as the setting for film productions. This is the case of ‘Culpa Mía’ (2023), a popular Amazon Prime film aimed at teenagers that has been recorded in enclaves such as Puerto de la Duquesa or Las Gaviotas, in Manilva.

In the same town, the series ‘Eva & Nicole’ is recorded. Directed by Daniel Écija – responsible for hits such as Los Serrano, Aída or Soy Vivo -, the story tells the confrontation of two divas in the glamorous Marbella of the 80s and will star the actresses Belén Rueda and Hiba Abouk.

A stone’s throw from Manilva is the small town of Casares. With the Andalusian essence, it has managed to capture the attention of numerous national and international directors. This is the case, for example, of the film ‘Me and my wife and my dead wife’, a Spanish-Argentine co-production that tells the story of an Argentinean who comes to Spain to search for the roots of his recently Andalusian wife. deceased.

Similarly, recently the actor Pedro Casablanc got behind the cameras again to now film ‘Sacrilegio’, a short film based on the work of the same name by Ramón del Valle-Inclán in the town of Casares.

It tells the story of an accusation and an execution that takes place among a band of outlaws who, fleeing from justice, hide in a lonely place in the Serranía de Ronda. Absolutely everything is filmed in Casares, in one of the fields of the municipality near the Cerro de la Horca mass grave.

A boost to tourism and film culture

With its diversity of landscapes, from paradisiacal coasts to historic towns and imposing mountains, the Costa del Sol continues to be a magnet for the film and television industry. Whether for a big-budget international production or national series and films, the municipalities of this region continue to shine on the big screen, offering a mix of culture, history and nature that continues to captivate directors and viewers alike.

The growing popularity of the Costa del Sol as a film set not only promotes culture and the audiovisual industry, but also boosts tourism, as many visitors seek to relive scenes from their favorite films and series while discovering the charms of this incomparable region. .

How does film tourism⁣ impact⁣ local businesses in regions like the Costa ​del Sol?

Questions:

1. How does filming ⁣in locations⁤ like⁣ the Costa del Sol enhance ⁢a region’s culture and ‍tourism ‌industry?

2. What draws filmmakers to specific towns​ and cities within the Costa del ⁣Sol when ⁢choosing locations ​for their productions?

3. Are there any challenges associated with filming in popular tourist destinations like the Costa del Sol?

4. How have local communities benefited from ⁢hosting film shoots in ⁤their towns?

5. What role does government ‍support play in attracting film productions‌ to the Costa del Sol?

6. Are ⁢there any particular themes or ⁣genres that dominate filmmaking in the Costa del Sol?

7.⁣ How has the rise ​of ⁢streaming ⁣services like Amazon Prime influenced the film industry’s interest in filming locations like ⁤the Costa del Sol?

8. Are there any emerging filmmakers or⁢ production companies based ​in the Costa del Sol contributing‌ to the region’s presence in the industry?

9. What significance does film ‌preservation have ⁣for⁢ maintaining ‌the region’s cultural heritage?

10. How can film tourism be sustainably developed within ⁤the Costa del Sol to minimize impact on ⁢the environment and local​ communities?