The big screen version of the global smash hit musical "Mamma Mia" was filmed in Damouhari, last September (2007). It was a great experience, for all of us in Damouhari, to watch, from so close, how such big movies are being produced.
Everything started on May 2007 when two people from a greek film-production company appeared in our village, speaking about the possibility of filming a movie here. A few weeks later a British crew came for a day, watching around and taking photos. Later we have been informed about the director's decision to shoot here and that everything was about "Mamma Mia".
According to the script, Damouhari is the harbour of the island where the story is supposed to take place. It is the place where Meryl Streep is receiving her 2 old friends, who come for the wedding of her daughter. That is also the main setting of the "Dancing Queen" choreography.
The shooting in Damouhari lasted 3 days and about 300 people were working together during these days. It was really impressive to see all those people being perfectly coordinated. All shootings took place in the harbour (where they built a kind of wooden marina) and around the big abandoned building that is there. In the meanwhile, our Traditional Hotel Ghermaniko was in the center of the whole story, serving as the Mamma Mia base.
All preparations, started about a month before, end of August. A crew of 10-15 people (British and Greeks) worked for a month to make everything look like the director wanted. That was, probably, the most amazing; fake reality at the moment that was being built. The people were genius; they made changes, convincing even us that have lived in the place all our lives. Congratulation guys!!!!
Meryl Streep was absolutely great! She was very very fit; working long hours; jumping and dancing like a teenager. In no case you could say that she had a remote profile. Exactly the opposite; she was very approachable and kind to all of us; she never denied a photo; sitting on the same table with everybody and participating fully in the partys that were taking place every night in a local Taverna. She seemed to have a great time in Damouhari. (ps. Her american hair-dresser is a great guy.)
All Mamma Mia crew respected our village and local community, and left us with many beautiful memories. They deserve maximum respect from our side!
Thank you guys! |
