Cinema without borders: a journey through the best films shot in Catalonia

We will then take you on a film tour so that you can discover picture-perfect spots and stories that will capture your heart (and perhaps the occasional action scene).

Daniel Monzón, one of the best directors of contemporary Catalan cinema, boldly adapted an iconic novel from the province of Girona: The Laws of the Border, by Javier Cercas. Monzón takes over from the masters of the so-called “quinqui cinema” that was made in the ’70s (such as Eloy de la Iglesia), to bring to our screens a story that takes us to Girona in ’78, where a teenage victim of bullying swaps his friends and embarks on a summer full of holdups, robberies, love and much more.  Thanks to the great work of the artistic team, the film succeeds in reflecting a time of social and political changes. It’s a masterpiece, don’t miss it.

This sequel to the film Spanish Affair is another cinematic hit. It takes us deep into the heart of Monells and other places in Girona, showing us that love (and stereotypes) have no borders. This comedy, directed by Emilio Martínez-Lázaro, in addition to making us laugh, invites us to explore the most picturesque corners of the region, such as the arched square of Jaume I in Monells. In fact, the town has been declared European Cultural Heritage and stands out for its architectural beauty and medieval spirit. Who said that sequels weren’t good?

This gem of classic cinema, starring Ava Gardner and James Mason, chose Tossa de Mar to tell a love story that has become a classic. The air of mystery and the fact that a diva like Ava Gardner, better known as “the world’s most beautiful animal” brought her charm to the streets of Tossa de Mar, gives this film an honourable mention in our list. A film that is part of the collective imagination and that you will enjoy, especially if you are a lover of period cinema.

Shot in an emblematic location in Girona, in this French production you will see the great French actor Vincent Cassel descending the mythical stairs of the Cathedral. This is a gothic thriller based on the novel by Matthew Gregory Lewis, which explores themes such as faith and temptation. Its settings and atmosphere are a mix of darkness and mystery. It’s the perfect film for those looking for a bit of suspense and adventure in a grand cinematographic tour.

The pretty Cala Sa Boadella in Lloret de Mar became an exotic Asian beach to film the most emblematic scenes of the action film Uncharted. Based on one of the best-selling and critically acclaimed video game series of all time, it features the young, shrewd and charismatic Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) on his first adventure as a treasure hunter with his partner Victor Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg). The filming was so famous that even the Municipal Library of Lloret de Mar joined the production, helping to find extras with Asian and Nordic profiles. A cinematic gem which brings both the beaches of Lloret de Mar and great productions in general into the limelight.

The team of this cult series on HBO decided that of all the places in the world, Besalú was the perfect location for creating a World War II-style theme park. We can see in different episodes of this great production how the square, where the Town Hall of this medieval town of Garrotxa is located, becomes an Italian town occupied by the Nazis. In fact, the HBO producers already demonstrated their predilection for Catalonia when they decided to film some episodes of the first season of the most successful series on this streaming platform: Game of Thrones.