Kefalonia is a beautiful Greek island in the Ionian Sea, famous for its stunning beaches, lush nature and picturesque villages. But did you know that Kefalonia has also been the backdrop for some popular movies and TV shows? If you are a fan of cinema and want to explore the island’s cinematic heritage, here are some of the movies and TV shows that were filmed or set in Kefalonia and where you can see them.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001)
One of the most well-known movies about Kefalonia is Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, based on the novel by Louis de Bernieres. The movie tells the story of a love affair between an Italian officer (Nicolas Cage) and a Greek woman (Penelope Cruz) during the Second World War, when Kefalonia was occupied by Italian and German forces. The movie also depicts the tragic massacre of the Italian soldiers by the Nazis in 1943, which was a real historical event.
The movie was filmed in several locations around Kefalonia, such as the village of Sami, which was partly reconstructed to look like before the devastating earthquake of 1953, the beach of Antisamos, which is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia, and Fiscardo, a charming fishing village that retains its traditional architecture. You can visit these places and admire the scenery that captivated Hollywood.
Source:
https://www.greeka.com/ionian/kefalonia/history/captain-corelli/
The Durrells (2016-2019)
The Durrells is a British TV series based on the autobiographical books by Gerald Durrell, a famous naturalist and writer. The series follows the adventures of his family, who moved from England to Corfu in 1935, in search of a better life. The series showcases the beauty and culture of Corfu, but also features some scenes that were filmed in Kefalonia.
In season 2, episode 5, Louisa Durrell (Keeley Hawes) visits Kefalonia with her friend Sven (Ulric von der Esch), who wants to show her his homeland. They stay at a hotel in Argostoli and explore some of the island’s attractions, such as the Melissani Cave, a stunning underground lake with crystal clear water, and the Monastery of Agios Gerasimos, the patron saint of Kefalonia. You can follow their footsteps and discover these amazing places for yourself.
The Corelli Mandolin (2023)
The Corelli Mandolin is an upcoming TV series that is a remake of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, but with a more faithful adaptation of the novel by Louis de Bernieres. The series will star Hugh Grant as Captain Corelli and Lily James as Pelagia. The series will also feature more details about the history and culture of Kefalonia during the war.
The series is currently in production and is expected to be released in 2023. It is being filmed in various locations in Kefalonia, such as Assos, a picturesque village with a Venetian castle, Myrtos, a spectacular beach with white sand and turquoise water, and Mount Ainos, the highest peak in the Ionian islands. You can visit these locations and get a glimpse of what the series will look like.
Source:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14253022/
Conclusion
Kefalonia is not only a paradise for nature lovers and beach goers, but also for cinema lovers. The island has been featured in several movies and TV shows that showcase its beauty and history. You can enjoy watching these movies and TV shows before or after your visit to Kefalonia, or even better, while you are there. You will surely appreciate the island even more!
