Love epic to film in Figueres
The US production to be shot in the Empordà town's Sant Ferran castle in the autumn will star Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac in an epic historical romance
It is unlikely that the counties of Girona have ever seen such a large concentration of film shoots in such a short space of time. Almost no time after filming of the second part of Ocho apellidos vascos ended –in different areas of Baix Empordà and Girona– and with the imminent arrival of HBO's hit TV series Game of Thrones at the beginning of September, another Hollywood production has picked Alt Empordà as a filming location for a production in the style of Ridley Scott epic, Exodus.
Specifically, The Promise will be shot in Sant Ferran castle in September and October, featuring Batman Begins star, Christian Bale, as well as Oscar Isaac, the actor who came to prominence in the Coen brothers film, Inside Llewyn Davis, who will also star in the upcoming instalments of the Star Wars saga and X-Men: Apocalypse.
Under the direction of Brit Terry George (Hotel Rwanda and Reservation road) the film tells the story of a love triangle that takes place in the dying days of the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 20th century. The Turkish empire, which experienced its golden age and maximum expansion in the 16th and 17th centuries, ran out of steam and finally disappeared after the First World War, to be replaced by the Republic of Turkey.
According to the prestigious entertainment magazine, Variety, the plot of the film focuses on Michael, a brilliant medical student who finds himself mired in a three-way relationship in which he competes for the affections of Ana with reporter, Chris. However, it seems that Michael is held back from pursuing the object of his affections by the conflict between his passion and his adherence to old world traditions.
With a script by Robin Swicord (Matilda, Memories of a Geisha), production will be by Survival Pictures and Babieka Films, the latter being responsible for the afore mentioned Exodus, as well as Tomorrowland –filmed in Valencia– and the Spanish film, Los Fantasmas de Goya. The production company is also in charge of the film's casting in Spain, with shooting also due to take place in Avila, Segovia, Madrid, the Canary Islands and Navarra. Given that the parts of the film to be shot in Girona will take place in Sant Ferran castle, it is highly likely that they will feature war scenes.
Casting in Figueres
However, the producers have been typically tight-lipped about the details of the film, although they did announce casting dates in the middle of July in Casa Empordà (formerly the Escorxador) in Figueres. For the casting, the filmmakers were looking for children between the ages of seven and 13, with dark hair and eyes, preferably of Arab origin. However, the company also said it was looking for men in good physical shape with military training, and men between the ages of 20 and 60, also with Arab features. As for women, the producers were also looking for females between the ages of 20 and 60, also with ethnic features.
From the casting requirements, it can be guessed that the majority of extras chosen in Figueres will play Ottoman roles.
