Noto in the Movies
by
Matt Bird
The city of Noto and the island of Sicily are often used as a film location for dramas and feature films that become hits like The White Lotus. I was enjoying a quiet alfresco aperativo one evening at a restaurant on Via Rocco Pirri when who should walk past but F. Murray Abraham and Michael Imperioli (pictured above) who were in hanging out in Noto during the filming of The White Lotus II.
The Inforata di Noto is the cities annual flower festival, celebrated since 1980. One of the streets in central Noto particularly known for its baroque architecture is Via Nicolaci and during the festival its entire length (110 metres) is adorned with flowers creating pictures and emblems. In 2023 the flower festival was themed 'Noto is Cinema' to celebrate its filmology. Some of the best known productions have included...
A musical romantic comedy film, starring Peter Dinklage, about poet Cyrano’s secret love for his orphaned childhood friend Roxanne who is desperate to marry for love rather security, filmed on the streets and in the palaces of Noto.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
An action adventure film, starring Harrison Ford, containing all the elements we have come to expect from the infamous Indiana Jones franchise, filmed in the UK, Morocco and the ancient city of Syracusa near Noto.
A crime drama about Police Commissioner Salvo Montelbano and his ability to solve crimes through reconstruction in the imaginary town of Vigata, Sicily and filmed around the district of Ragusa near Noto.
A black comedy drama about a group of affluent families and friends on vacation, season 2 focuses on the relationship between gender, sex and money, filmed around Taormina, Palermo and of course Noto.
I am looking forward to the city of Noto and island of Sicily increasingly appearing as a filming location. Keep you eyes peeled you never know who you might see whilst enjoying an alfresco aperitivo in downtown Noto!
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