The Night Manager filming locations on Mallorca

When I was on the Balearic island of Mallorca in November last year, the locals were all talking about The Night Manager, a new BBC 1 TV show about a hotel night manager who is recruited to infiltrate the inner circle of a dangerous arm's dealer. This big-budget adaptation of John Le Carrés novel by the same name has gained rave reviews and has a caliber cast including Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman, Elizabeth Debicki, and Tom Hollander.

However, the main reason why the locals were talking about the show was that a large chunk of the scenes was filmed on Mallorca (next to some stunning locations in Cairo, Istanbul, Madrid, Zermatt, and Devon). According to Ted Wake of Kirker Holidays, Mallorca bookings are up by 15% since the show aired in the UK, and Spain as a whole 7%. Especially the upmarket activities, such as five-star hotels and chic restaurants, have been booming.

Of course, I watched The Night Manager while I was there (it's only six episodes) and visited some of the main filming locations on the island.

Filming locations - Devil's Nightmare

Devil's Nightmare is a Belgian/Italian horror movie released in 1971. Directed by Jean Brismée, it tells the story of seven tourists who become lost during a trip in Europe. A strange man by the roadside shows them the way, but as it's too late to catch the ferry, they are then directed to a castle where they can spend the night. There, they meet a succubus (Erika Blanc) who kills them because they represent the seven sins.

In Belgium, where the film was shot and released under the French title La plus longue nuit du diable, hardly anyone knows of its existence. However, it was quite successful in Italy. Since then, it has been released under an array of different titles, so you may also know it as The Devil Walks at Midnight, Nightmare of Terror, Vampire Playgirls, Castle of Death, La terrificante notte del demonio, Au service du diable, etc.

This strange mix between The Pit and the Pendulum and the Euro trash films of Jess Franco and Jean Rollin, was almost entirely shot in and around a castle in Belgium: Château d'Antoing or Castle of the Princes of De Ligne, which was first mentioned in the 12th century but rebuilt by architect Clement Parent in neo-Gothic style in the 19th century. It's one of the country's most beautiful castles, so whether you've seen the film or not, it's worth a visit when you're in South West Belgium or one of the neighboring cities in France.

Ocean's Twelve filming locations in Amsterdam

Where did they film Ocean's Twelve in Amsterdam?

In Ocean's Twelve, Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) locates all eleven members of Danny Ocean's gang, demanding they return the $150 million they stole from his casinos plus interest. To win back the money, Danny Ocean (George Clooney), Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) and Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon) go to Amsterdam to steal an important certificate.

Ocean's Twelve is full of stunning shots of Amsterdam. All the places you see are located in the proximity of each other, which means you can easily trace the steps of your favorite characters.

I made an itinerary for you that will help you see the filming locations of Ocean's Twelve, which are all famous places in Amsterdam.

The Fault in Our Stars filming locations in Amsterdam

Based on the novel by John Green, The Fault in our Stars was a huge hit when it came out in 2014. One of the romantic highlights in the film is when the main characters visit Amsterdam in search of their favorite author, but it's also the place where they fall in love. You can visit the all the famous Amsterdam filming locations of The Fault in our Stars and trace the steps of Hazel and Augustus yourself.

Amelie filming locations in Montmartre

I wasn't planning on doing an article on the Amelie filming locations in Montmartre. However, last month, I spent a few days in Paris, and a visit to Montmartre was on top of my list as it's one of my favorite Parisian neighborhoods. Ambling along the picturesque, cobblestone alleys, my local friend kept saying, “This place appeared in Amelie.” As Montmartre is where much of the film occurs, I thought you'd be interested in discovering these Amelie filming locations with me.

In case you haven't seen the film, watch the trailer first.

Lucia y el Sexo filming locations on Formentera

I recently spent a day on the Balearic island Formentera, known for its white sandy beaches and turquoise sea. All the beaches on Formentera are natural and almost always set within an unspoiled landscape. Small hotels and apartments can mainly be found in Es Pujols. 

Being a fan of Spanish director Julio Medem, I also visited the Formentera filming locations for his movie Lucia y el Sexo.

I'm sure you will recognize Es Cap de Barbaria Lighthouse (including the famous hole) which is one of the most striking locations in the movie.

Also featured below is Ses Salinas Natural Park and Cala Illetes, which has been recognized as the third most beautiful beach in the world.

Have you seen Lucia y el Sexo? Can you recognize the filming locations?

On the set of a haunted house movie

Filmmakers Kurt Debaillie and Bjorn Verbeke invited me to the film set of their haunted house movie, Residual Residence. The majority of the movie was shot in the house of a recently deceased lady. To make the interior appear as real as possible, the filmmakers left almost all of the objects and furniture intact.

It soon seemed that not only the lady's belongings were still in the house, but the lady as well. Or at least, that's what it seemed like... Sudden wafts of perfume on the staircase, classical music only audible through the headphones, strange noises, cell phones playing music by themselves, clocks chiming every time someone entered the house, and unexplainable lights.

Fun fact: the house (which is situated in Bredene, Belgium) is currently for sale.

What do you think of this peculiar movie set? 

The director and lead actor of Residual Residence will be following the conversation here, so leave them a comment with your thoughts or ask them a question. They will be happy to respond.

The Strangers Outside - Filming Locations

As most of you already know by now, my horror short story THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE is now being turned into a film starring Pierre Lekeux and Iulia Alexandra Nastase. I just received the first pictures of the filming locations. They give a creepy preview of what the film will be like.

THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE