The film Mary Magdalene and the beauty of Southern Italy

The film Mary Magdalene and the beauty of Southern Italy

On these days, in Matera, the australian director Garth Davis is shooting the film Mary Magdalene.

Matera confirms its vocation of filming location now among the most prestigious, especially for biblical religious films.

But the shooting of the film have interested and will interest also other locations; an effective cross-section of the beauties of South Italy.

The film

The film is the story of Mary Magdalene, one of the most complex and misunderstood spiritual figures. "A story of misunderstandings is that which marked from the beginning the figure of Mary from Magdala" (Msgr. Gianfranco Ravasi).

The cast of the film is truly remarkable.

Mary is played by Rooney Mara. The actress has gained international fame with the role of Lisbeth Salander in the Millennium - Men Who Hate Women (2011). In 2015 she has been very successful for her performance in Carol, for which she won the Cannes Best Actress Award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and received numerous nominations. She has already been directed by Garth Davis in the movie Lion.

Jesus Christ is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. The actor, who received an Oscar nomination for the film Gladiator, is now one of the most significant actors internationally.

For the role of the Apostle Peter was chosen Chiwetel Ejiofor, the star of 12 Years a Slave by Steve McQueen, who won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2014. Tahar Rahim, star of French film A Prophet by Jacques Audiard, interprets Judas.

Locations

The shooting of the film have already interested various regions of Southern Italy: Sicily, Puglia, Basilicata.

Sicily

The shooting have interested areas of great environmental importance of the province of Trapani, in particular the municipalities of Custonaci and San Vito Lo Capo, between the Natural Reserve of Mount Cofano and the Zingaro Natural Reserve.

Mount Cofano, Baglio Cofano, Mangiapane Cave, Tonnara del Secco, Spine of the Dragon at the Zingaro, San Vito Lo Capo Beach, Santa Margherita Beach are some of the places were filmed scenes of Mary Magdalene in Sicily set in stunning landscapes.

Puglia

In Puglia the shooting was carried out in the municipality of Gravina in Puglia (BA) in Alta Murgia National Park.

In particular they have been interested the archaeological area Gravina and the Seven Rooms Complex. It is an original rock habitat, dug in the Middle Ages, really of great emotional impact.

Basilicata

Matera is obviously the center. In particular the Malve district next to the Sasso Caveoso, admirable example of rock habitat, Matera's Murgia, the rock churches.

But they will also interested other places: from Craco to the Gullies of  Pisticci. The gullies are deep grooves that characterize the slopes of predominantly clay soil, giving it an image really striking.

Shooting will end finally to Naples and Rome.

The film should be released in theaters in the spring of 2017.