Written by new-contact on Feb 23, 2010. Posted in On Location

Balestrino presents abandoned Italian village for crews

The medieval village of Balestrino in north-west Italy is an intriguing location for filmmakers as it has been abandoned for more than half a century but offers a rural and rustic look that has drawn Hollywood in recent years.

Earthquake damage and geological instability led to the old town’s abandonment, although a newer village was set up a short distance down the road in the 1950s. Production crews can now film in the old village using a permit from the mayor.

Alessandra Bergero is president of the Italian Riviera-Alphi Del Mare Film Commission, a not-for-profit organisation run with the support of Foundation Agostino de Mari, Banca Carisa and Provincia di Savona. She said: “Next to the old town the new one was built. There are restaurants and small hotels. On the coast (about five kilometres away) there are other hotels and tourist infrastructures and services. Balestrino looks isolated and abandoned but it’s not.”

Big-budget fantasy adventure Inkheart filmed in the village in 2008, while an episode of dramatic documentary Life After People filmed there in the winter of 2009 for the History Channel. Major cities such as Turin, Genoa and Milan are less than two hours’ drive away, meaning equipment such as cranes, dollies, tracks and Steadicams are easily available from local production service companies.

Ms Bergero concluded: “Some buildings cannot be accessed, hard hats are needed in some streets and the 300-strong Inkheart crew built some holding structures to avoid any possible accidents.”