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LMGI COMPASS
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Spring 2024
Jakov Kapetanovic, from
the Zagreb Film Office, led
the pre-symposium tour on
behalf of the Croatian Tourism
Board and the various regional
film offices that generously
showcased the country's
diverse locations and creative
opportunities for filmmakers.
Landscapes range from dense
rainforests, Pannonian plains,
mountain ranges, rolling hills
and some of the world's most
stunning Adriatic coastline.
"There were so many
beautiful—and filmable—
places that we were shown,"
said LM Benjamin Hendriks.
"I must have taken a record
number of photos. We
often asked to stop the car
alongside the road just to snap
a few shots before hopping
back in.
"What surprised me is the vast
difference in scenery between
places, even though they are
not that far apart. You can
easily sell multiple countries
within one. The nature and
the architecture can differ
a lot, which makes it very
usable, depending on what
you are looking for. Newly built
buildings are in great contrast
with many abandoned and
neglected buildings.
"On top of that, we visited
places we simply had not seen
before, like Željava, where we've
visited an underground air base
situated deep in a mountain."
Added UK's Richards,
"Everywhere we turned, we were
wide-eyed and amazed by all
the beautiful vistas, architecture
and landscapes, all bathed in
gorgeous Croatian light. Not
to mention how cementing
it is to be immersed in the
culture and spend time with
our connections in each of the
regions. We felt everywhere we
went, there was such pride in
the people and places—and a
willingness to open doors and
make it work—always a big
factor when you're trying to
achieve the impossible—which
is a big part of the Location
Department day job!"
Over the past decade, Zagreb
and Croatia have hosted many
international projects, such
as
The Witcher, The Hitman's
Wife's Bodyguard, The Ipcress
Files, Jack Ryan, Hotel Portofino,
Star Wars: The Last Jedi,
Courtesy of John Rakich/LMGI
Photo by Benjamin Hendriks/LMGI
Photo by Benjamin Hendriks/LMGI
