Filming has begun for the new Netflix film, "Sacrifice", at the impressive quarries of Volakas, in Mountainous Drama, with famous Hollywood stars such as Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Evans and Sam Richardson.
Eva Metis Koutoumanou
Greece seems to attract more and more Hollywood starts and producers making our country a prime location for filming abroad, finally, now that bureaucracy is not a problem anymore!
This time the impressive marble quarries in the area of Volakas, in mountainous Drama, are the setting for the shooting of the new film "Sacrifice" by director Romain Gavras, of Greek origin, son of the also internationally famous Greek director Costa Gavras.
Among the film's stars are some of Hollywood's most famous names, including Vincent Cassel, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Evans, Sam Richardson and Salma Hayek.
The shooting of the film began yesterday, Monday, October 21, with Hollywood filling the picturesque streets and hotels of the area.
Speaking to ANA-MPA, the president of the Drama Hoteliers Association and gen. Secretary of the Panhellenic Hoteliers Federation, Angelos Kallias, emphasizes that the technical crews of this large production and auxiliary staff have arrived in Drama for days to prepare the production.
"More than 150 people are already in our area", Mr. Kallias emphasizes and adds: "For the needs of the film, about two hundred rooms in the wider area have been booked from the production. From what we have been informed, so far, the shooting will take place in the quarries of Volakas, in an arcade that has been properly configured for the needs of the film".
For the needs of this great production, the filming of which will last until November 2nd, special platforms and auxiliary spaces have been set up inside one of the quarries of Volakas, while filming will also take place on the road leading to the ski resort of Falakro. Also, according to leaked information, scenes of the film will also be shot in studios in neighboring Bulgaria.
Angelos Kallias, speaking to ANA-MPA, underlines that thanks to the Short Film Festival, Drama entered the frame of international productions, further strengthening its cultural identity and increasing the interest of production companies to discover it and highlight its comparative advantages. However, the popular actress Mimi Denisi seems to have chosen Drama to shoot scenes for a new series.
This is the second time that the region of Drama is chosen for the shooting of an international production. The first was in 2022, when a film titled "Tin Soldier" was shot, which for bureaucratic reasons has not yet been screened. For the needs of that film, shots were shot in the impressive building of the Tobacco Institute (built in 1930), in the cave of Aggitis as well as in areas of the verdant municipality of Paranesti.
Naturally, the local authorities of Drama are particularly satisfied with the new production that is being filmed. They note that the film producers put the area in their planning, sending the message that they were satisfied with both the natural environment and the beauties as well as the hospitality, comforts and facilities provided on set.
A few months ago, the production had auditioned in Drama, asking for young people who would like to participate in the film. Some were even selected and are expected to participate in the film.
The film is made on behalf of the well-known subscription platform Netflix, while the script and direction are written and directed by Romain Gavras and Will Arbery, writer and producer of the famous series "Succession".
Although so far little information has come to light about the case, it is an action film focusing on climate change and environmental protection.
With absolute secrecy, more and more Hollywood stars began to arrive in Drama, as well as people from the production and film crew.
More than 150 people are already in the area, including stars Vincent Cassel, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Evans, Sam Richardson and Salma Hayek. According to ANT1's show "Proino", Greek designer Vasilios Kostetsos will also participate in the film, in a surprise role.
It is reminded that a few days ago the also famous Hollywood actor Nicholas Cage was in Greece for the shooting of "The Carpenter's Son", a film based on the Gospel of Thomas.
