Netflix in Portugal: Monastery of Batalha ends two days for filming
The monument’s director chooses the “great importance” of this local economy and Portuguese cinema
The Monastery of Batalha, in the district of Leiria, closes to the public on the 19th and 20th of May for filming sessions of the film “Damssel”, a Netflix production that, in Portugal, will also pass through Tomar and Sortelha.
In Batalha, filming will take place in the Royal Cloister and in the Imperfect Chapels, but the Church and Chapel of the Founder are available, the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage (DGPC), which is in charge of the monument, said.
Then production will arrive at Convento Cristo, for five days also in Tomar, in the district of Sortelha, in the district of Guarda, in the district of Sortelha.
For the director of the Monastery of Batalha, the choice of the UNESCO World Heritage monument for the new Netflix film is of “great importance” on several levels.
In addition to helping the image of the Batalha project, “it is important for the local economy of the village of Batalha, especially after two years of pandemic that were very important; and it is also important for the important film industry in Portugal”, said Joaquim Ruivo.
According to the official, the production company responsible for filming is confident that after “Damsel”, “they open up to Hollywood and Netflix to come here, to Portugal, to film more often”.
“It can open doors for major productions” and, with that, not only project the country as a tourist but also “benefit Portuguese cinema”.
At a time when the doors to the pandemic recovered the battle is the second021, a number of tourist tours of the battle, the cultural equipment in the country, most pre-tourist visitors in two tourist moments by the second021. Appetizer.
To compensate, tourists and visitors organized in groups will be able, on those days, to circulate in the church and in the Founder’s Chapel, the latter usually integrated in the circuit only accessible with pagan individuals.
What is known about the new Netflix production
The director of the Monastery of Batalha warns viewers who are waiting for attention to discover “Damsel” the spaces that go from setting to film.
“With special effects, they will all be remodeled: the Royal Cloister will be the garden of a palace and the Imperfect Chapels will safely have a roof, using special effects. For anyone who knows the monastery, it will be a surprise,” he concluded.
Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo based on a screenplay by Dan Mazeau, “Damsel” involves technical equipment with around 250 people. The cast includes Millie Bobby Brown, from the series “Stranger Things”, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Robin Wright, Nick Robinson, Angela Bassett, Ray Winstone and Brooke Carter. About 35 Portuguese extras also participate.
“Damsel” (in Portuguese, “Maiden”) is scheduled to premiere in the first half of 2023, on Netflix’s streaming service.
In the synopsis, the feature film is presented as a fairy tale around Elodie, a role played by Millie Bobby Brown, who marries the impetuous Prince Henry, heir to the kingdom of Aurea. After keeping a dragon satisfied, trapped Elo cavedie is imprisoned to keep a dragon satisfied. Elodie will have to use strength and intelligence to survive and find a way to escape.