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CANARY ISLANDS

Star Wars spin off starts filming on a Spanish island in a galaxy far far away

Cast and crew working on a new Star Wars spin-off are filming on location in the Canary Islands.

Published: 18 May 2017 12:14 CEST
Star Wars spin off starts filming on a Spanish island in a galaxy far far away
The cast and directors from the film about the early life of Hans Solo. Photo: Disney

Scenes of the film, which will focus on character Han Solo, will be filmed in several locations around the Canary Island of Fuerteventura beginning next week and continuing into June.

Filming is due to start next week in Cañada de la Barca on the south of the island and a base camp has already been established where a 250-strong crew and actors will be based.

Around 160 locals have also been contracted to work on the film project as well as some 200 extras.

The filming area on the peninsula of Jandía – a natural park which is popular with tourists – has been completely shut off while the filming takes place, with a ban on cameras and smartphones near the set to maintain the utmost secrecy surrounding the plot.

READ ALSO: Ten classic films you never knew were shot in Spain

Earthmovers and dozens of all-terrain vehicles have been brought into the zone, reported La Provincia de Las Palmas.

But sneaky aerial photos have already emerged of a set in place in the sand dunes on the island, although Canarias reported that flight restrictions have been placed over the zone to prevent further leaks.

Movie fans will have to wait until the release, scheduled for May 2018, to know which fictional planet is created using the arid landscape of Fuerteventura.

It’s not the first time a location in Spain has played host to a Star Wars film.

READ MORE: Ten incredible Spain locations for Game of Thrones season 7

Seville’s iconic Plaza de España stood in for the city of Theed on the planet Naboo in the Star Wars prequel, Attack of the Clones.


Plaza de España in Seville as seen in Attack of the Clones.

The latest spinoff — set before the events of the original “Star Wars: A New Hope” — will explore the adventures of a young Han Solo and Chewbacca.

The cast includes Alden Ehrenreich (Han Solo), Donald Glover (Lando Calrissian), Woody Harrelson (Han Solo’s mentor), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Emilia Clarke, and Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Westworld star Thandie Newton will also star in the film.

The film, a collaboration between Disney and Lucasfilm, is being directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

After the Canary Islands, filming will move to locations in Italy.

READ ALSO: Star Wars crew in northern Italy to film Hans Solo spin-off

FILM

French films with English subtitles to watch in November

As days get shorter and temperatures drop, November is a great month to enjoy a warm and comforting moment at the cinema. Here’s a round up of the French movies with English subtitles to see in Paris this month.

Published: 4 November 2021 11:13 CET
Cinema in France
Photo: Loic Venance/AFP

The cinema group Lost in Frenchlation runs regular screenings of French films in the capital, with English subtitles to help non-native speakers follow the action. The club kicks off every screening with drinks at the cinema’s bar one hour before the movie, so it’s also a fun way to meet people if you’re new to Paris.

These are the events they have coming up in November.

Friday, November 5th

Boîte Noire – What happened on board the Dubai-Paris flight before it crashed in the Alps? In this thriller Matthieu, a young and talented black box analyst played by Pierre Niney (star of Yves Saint-Laurent among other movies) is determined to solve the reason behind this deadly crash, no matter the costs. 

The screening will take place at the Club de l’étoile cinema at 8pm. But you can arrive early for drinks at the bar from 7pm. 

Tickets are €10 full price, €8 for students and all other concessions, and can be reserved here.

Sunday, November 14th

Tralala – In the mood for music? This new delightful French musical brings you into the life of Tralala (played by Mathieu Amalric), a 48 years old, homeless and worn-out street singer, who one day gets mistaken for someone else. Tralala sees an opportunity to get a better life by taking on a new personality. He now has a brother, nephews, ex-girlfriends, and maybe even a daughter. But where is the lie? Where is the truth? And who is he, deep down?

The night will start with drinks from 6pm followed by the screening at 7pm at the Luminor Hôtel de Ville cinema. There is also a two-hour cinema-themed walk where you’ll be taken on a “musicals movie tour” in the heart of Paris, which begins at 4pm.

Tickets cost €10, or €8 for students and concessions, and can be found here. Tickets for the walking tour cost €20 and must be reserved online here.

Thursday, November 18th

Illusions Perdues – Based on the great novel series by Honoré de Balzac between 1837 and 1843, this historical drama captures the writer Lucien’s life and dilemmas who dreams about a great career of writing and moves to the city to get a job at a newspaper. As a young poet entering the field of journalism, he is constantly challenged by his desire to write dramatic and eye-catching stories for the press. But are they all true?

The evening will kick off with drinks at L’Entrepôt cinema bar at 7pm, followed by the movie screening at 8pm. Tickets are available online here, and cost €8.50 full price; €7 for students and all other concessions.

Sunday, November 21st

Eiffel – Having just finished working on the Statue of Liberty, Gustave Eiffel (played by Romain Duris) is tasked with creating a spectacular monument for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris. It’s ultimately his love story with Adrienne Bourgès (Emma Mackey) that will inspire him to come up with the idea for the Eiffel Tower.

After a first screening last month, Lost in Frenchlation is organising a new one at the Luminor Hôtel de Ville cinema, with pre-screening drinks at the cinema bar. 

Tickets cost €10, or €8 for students and concessions, and can be found here. 

Thursday, November 25th

Les Héroïques – Michel is a former junkie and overgrown child who only dreams of motorbikes and of hanging out with his 17-year-old son Léo and his friends. But at 50 years old, he now has to handle the baby he just had with his ex, and try not to make the same mistakes he has done in the past. 

The film will be followed by a Q&A with the director Maxime Roy who will discuss his very first feature. 

Tickets cost €10, or €8 for students and concessions, and can be found here.

Full details of Lost in Frenchlation’s events can be found on their website or Facebook page. In France, a health pass is required in order to go to the cinema.

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