Our island is a big open-air set. Landscapes that are unique in the world and of indescribable charm, which have always attracted great directors.

But which of the most famous films have the exciting landscapes of western Sicily as their setting?

Let’s begin with the latest of the films shot in our region.

A few months ago, the fifth chapter in the Indiana Jones saga brought stars of the calibre of Harrison Ford and Antonio Banderas to Castellammare del Golfo. The Hollywood colossal brought the town back to 1969, enchanting everyone with its Vespas and cars, signs and vintage shops.

How can we forget Ocean’s Twelve, directed by Steven Soderbergh, in which one of the most beautiful corners of the territory is featured: the Tonnara of Scopello. Only a few moments, but incredibly intense, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Brad Pitt.

While the Tonnara has been the setting for many TV series (including Cephalonia, Il Commissario Montalbano and Makari), the Faraglioni have been featured in several commercials: Wind with Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Findus That’s Amore in 2013 and Guess by Marciano with Belén Rodríguez in 2017. But if there is one commercial that is really well-known all over the world, and filmed in Sicily, it is the Amaro Montenegro commercial: the setting is the port and the Arab-Norman castle of Castellammare del Golfo.

Further west, San Vito Lo Capo has also been the location for many films. The beach of Macari was chosen by Tornatore for some of the scenes in Stanno tutti bene (2009). And also: Viola di Mare, which was shot also in Trapani and Favignana; Nuovomondo by Emanuele Crialese; My Name is Tanino by Paolo Virzì.

Even when it is not featured directly, our region still becomes a source of inspiration for Hollywood. In the 2018 film Aquaman, the protagonists go to a seaside village, inspired by Erice but reconstructed abroad. The Greek temples and coastline, inspired by the Zingaro Natural Reserve, were recreated in CGI.