Hollywood stars across the Greek Archipelago
Since 1957, when THE BOY ON A DOLPHIN (1957), starring Alan Land and Sophia Loren, became the first Hollywood film shot in Greece, Greek seas have always been a major draw for prestigious film and TV productions.
The Mediterranean landscape as the receptor of the Greek way of living have inspired emblematic films that played a special role in shaping the cinematic image of GREECE. Luc Besson’s THE BIG BLUE (1988) chose the atmosphere of Amorgos Island during the 60’s for shooting part of his film and the first film adaptation of the famous ABBA musical Mamma Mia! (2004) used Mount Pelion and Skopelos Island as the backdrop for the story.
That legacy seems to be continuing, while being renewed. During the last years, more international productions chose Greece and Aegean Sea as their shooting location.
A24’s THE RIDERS fromAcademy Award-winner Edward Berger (ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, CONCLAVE), starring Academy Award-winner Brad Pitt, is currently filming in Greece -after filming at several locations across Europe. The film is based on the eponymous novel by Tim Winton, which tells the story of an Australian man that wanders around Europe with his seven-year-old daughter to find his wife. The cast also includes Julianne Nicholson, Coco Greenstone, Michael Smiley, Danny Huston, Camille Cottin, Ulrich Thomsen, Lara Pulver and Kimonas Kouris.
Part of the production took place on the island of Hydra, where an entire 1980s setting was recreated with a 500-member crew, extras and detailed period design, alongside shoots in Athens, Chalkida and Skaramagas.
Nikos Kyritsis, the Location Manager of the film in Greece mentions:
“In the new film by Edward Berger, based on the novel The Riders, Hydra —which is also referenced in the book— was from the outset a key point of reference. Nevertheless, we explored alternative locations, seeking places that could convey a similar atmosphere with greater production ease and fewer practical constraints. However, Hydra’s distinct characteristics— the absence of cars, the uniqueness of its architecture, and the immediate relationship between the settlement and the natural landscape— create a cinematic condition that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
The director was looking for locations with a strong geographical identity and an underlying tension that would reflect the protagonist’s inner journey. At the same time, the story takes place in the 1980s, and Hydra serves this aspect perfectly, as it remains largely unchanged, without visible contemporary interventions or pronounced signs of modernization.
During the scouting process, through repeated visits to the island —either alone or together with the director— the locations began to “reveal themselves” rather than simply being selected. In the end, Hydra was not just the right choice; it was the only place that could tell this story in the way envisioned by the director and the creative team.”
HYDRA. Credits: Nikos Kyritsis
“Beyond Hydra, filming also took place in other locations, including the Chalkida train station, Skaramagas shipyards, and Athens City Hall. These spaces impressed the director with their beauty, architectural character, and their enduring, unchanged quality over the years, while in the film they are “transformed” into locations in Italy and Belgium.”
Few months before, another highly anticipated film starring the Academy Award-winner Cate Blanchett had key scenes filmed in the Mani region of Messinia, with locations including Kardamyli, Trachila and Petrovouni. SWEETSICK will be Alice Birch’s directorial debut, the famous playwright and screenwriter for the hit TV Series Succession & Normal People.
The film follows a mysterious woman with the unusual ability to sense what others most deeply need. The production, shot in both the UK and Greece, uses the dramatic landscapes of Mani as the backdrop for the story’s emotional journey and climactic finale. The film will be distributed by Searchlight Pictures.
Nikos Athanasiou, the Location Manager of the film recalls:
“In the search for suitable filming locations, the director’s primary intention was to find elements that convey a sense of authenticity and interiority: stone as a material, the isolation of the space, and a view toward something distant and open. These elements function not only aesthetically, but also symbolically, reinforcing the landscape of the narrative.
At the same time, there was a desire for the locations to retain a certain uniqueness — an almost timeless quality, making the space feel as though it exists slightly outside of time. This sense of solitude and distinct identity is a key element on which the narrative is built.
In the script, the heroine arrives in a quiet, remote village in search of her mother. The village of Trachila was chosen for this setting. It is a small, remote fishing village, at the end of a road that leads nowhere. This feeling of being “at the end of the journey” enhances the sense of isolation, and from the very first moment I arrived there, I felt exactly what had been described in the script.”
Lastly, in 2025 the volcanic island of Nea Kameni, within the flooded Santorini caldera -that unique geological site is a national geological park amid the Aegean Sea, protected by Natura 2000- was used for the shooting of Romain Gavras’ new film SACRIFICE. The production had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, starring Chris Evans, Anya Taylor-Joy, Vincent Cassel, Salma Hayek Pinault and John Malkovich. The film is a co-production between ICONOCLAST, Mid March Media, Film4 and Heretic and tells the story of an influencer film-star, the world’s richest man and a girl that are hostages of the eco-warrior Joan, who wants to save humanity by fulfilling the prophesy of sacrificing them to a volcano.
Aris Maleas, the Location Manager of the film highlights:
“Our decision to propose Nea Kameni (aka the volcano of Santorini) as a location was based on the unique geological and aesthetic identity of the landscape, which exudes drama, mystery, and natural power—elements fully aligned with the theme and atmosphere of the film.
Santorini, and Nea Kameni in particular, offers a rare combination of volcanic terrain and mythological depth, enhancing the narrative strength of the cinematic story. The volcano itself functions symbolically for both the characters and the development of the plot.
The contribution of the local community was crucial to the success of the production. During filming, close collaboration took place with local authorities (Thira Municipality, Port Authority and Geothira S.A.), professionals, and residents, both in terms of service provision and hospitality and technical support. The responsiveness and hospitality of the Santorini community significantly contributed to the smooth execution of the production, highlighting the island not only as a captivating destination but also as an active partner in contemporary cinematic creation”.
*Special Thanks to: The RIDERS (Location Manager: Nikos Kyritsis – powered by Blonde), SACRIFICE (Location Manager: Aris Maleas – co-produced by Heretic), SWEETSICK (Location Manager: Nikos Athanasiou – powered by Heretic)