Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City

Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City
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With its high altitude and bustling streets, there are few places in the world quite like Mexico City. Rich in traditions that go back centuries, and boasting a thriving art scene as well as local cuisine that has inspired the world, the Mexican capital has also earned a special place in the hearts of movie fans. Whether showcasing Mexico’s vibrant domestic film industry or international blockbuster hits, the city’s sun-kissed streets and multitude of influences have turned many everyday locations into film sets. Join us to relive movie history, as told by the metropolis affectionately known as CDMX…

By Victoria Luxford

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Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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Castillo de Chapultepec (William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, 1996) – For fans of Baz Luhrmann’s classic Shakespeare adaptation, there’s no missing this building. The iconic structure (‘Chapultepec Castle’ in English) formerly served as a summer home for Mexican presidents, but since the late 1930s it has been home to The National Museum of History. In the film, it’s where Leonardo DiCaprio’s Romeo first sees Juliet, with the castle doubling as the Capulet mansion (as described in big bold titles in the movie). A great way to combine Mexican history with movie history, the film itself is set in ‘Verona Beach’ (a twist on the play’s setting) but uses several locations from Mexico City.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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Gran Hotel Ciudad de México (Spectre, 2015) – A movie capitals visit wouldn’t be the same without an appearance from 007, and Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico boasts two! The most recent is Spectre, where Daniel Craig’s secret agent steps through the entrance and into the iconic, ornate elevator of this 19th-century building as part of the film’s memorable Day of the Dead opening sequence (the square that the hotel sits on, The Zócalo, is also where the helicopter lands in the epic action set piece). Interestingly enough, James Bond visited the same hotel – and elevator – 26 years earlier in Timothy Dalton instalment Licence to Kill!

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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The Zócalo (Godzilla: King of the Monsters, 2019) – We stay with The Zócalo for another Hollywood blockbuster. The large square at the centre of the city was just one of the locations used for the sequel to the American Godzilla movie, starring Millie Bobby Brown and Ken Watanabe. The production’s arrival was greeted with great fanfare by the city, who were keen to showcase their home to the world, but they have gotten used to famous guests over the years. Paul McCartney, Justin Bieber and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters have held free concerts to hundreds of thousands within the square.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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Estudios Churubusco (Amores perros, 2000) – If a film has been shot in Mexico, chances are it will have made a visit to Estudios Churubusco. 95% of films made in the country this century have used the government-owned facilities, and their list of credits is extraordinary. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Hunt for Red October and Total Recall are all examples of American movies that made the trip to the studio, but one homegrown hit that came out of it was Alejandro González Iñárritu’s striking Amores perros. The studio sporadically opens to the public to celebrate its history, so if its doors are open, this will be a paradise for any cinephile.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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La Casa Azul (Frida, 2002) – On the outskirts of the city lies a bit of history that will be of interest to both art and movie lovers. La Casa Azul was the home of iconic artist Frida Kahlo, and the rooms have been preserved as a museum that is open to the public, honouring a movement that began in the 1980s to celebrate her work. The building was the obvious choice for Frida, the Hollywood biopic of the artist’s life, which was a passion project of producer/star Salma Hayek. The combination of movie magic and cultural history make this a no-brainer for any visitor!

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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Huixquilucan Interlomas (Elysium, 2013) – Perhaps one of the biggest compliments you can pay an area is that filmmakers chose it to portray the ‘perfect’ society! The affluent Huixquilucan Interlomas district was one of two locations used for Elysium, the floating city at the heart of the 2013 blockbuster, home of the rich and important. Located about an hour away from the centre of the city, it’s a vibrant area filled with restaurants and culture, sporting a distinct look that stands out from the surrounding areas. While not a top tourist spot, it’s another example of Mexico’s growing appeal as a filming location.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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Diana the Huntress Fountain (Man on Fire, 2004) – Part of Denzel Washington’s reinvention as an action star in the early 2000s, Man on Fire is a beloved thriller which used locations in the city – most notably the Diana the Huntress Fountain (Fuente de la Diana Cazadora). It was a monument built in 1942 to celebrate and beautify the Colonia Cuauhtémoc and Colonia Juárez neighbourhoods, on whose border the fountain stands. In the film, it’s where pop superstar Marc Anthony’s character, Samuel Ramos, enters a car with the ransom money for his kidnapped daughter. The gorgeous location and calm water should make your visit more relaxing!

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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Six Flags Mexico (Free Willy, 1993) – Not only did this popular tourist attraction provide the setting for a film, it also gave us its star: under previous ownership, this amusement park was known as Reino Aventura and was home to Keiko, the whale who played the title role in the film Free Willy. The whale was released into the wild with thousands arriving to say goodbye in the mid-1990s, but fans of the sweet family drama can relive the tear-jerking moments from the film in the park’s current incarnation as a member of the Six Flags chain.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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Teatro Metropólitan (Roma, 2018) – Mexico City native Alfonso Cuarón’s nostalgic drama is a love letter to his childhood, which involved recreating the city of his youth as he remembered it. One scene involved a visit to Teatro Metropólitan, as the film’s lead, Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), watches a classic on the big screen. As gorgeous as the venue is, it required some studio trickery to evoke its former purpose as Cine Metropólitan, which it would have been in the period that the film is set. Since 1995 it has served primarily as a music venue, but the architecture and artwork that adorn the walls are breathtaking nonetheless.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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Wallace Whiskey Bar (Sense8, 2015) – If all this exploring has got you thirsty, may we suggest a visit to Wallace Whisky Bar in the Cuauhtemoc District? This lively watering hole and music venue was featured in the hit Netflix show Sense8, with the second season featuring the bar prominently as Lito (Miguel Ángel Silvestre) and his other ‘selves’ make a very dramatic entrance through the bar’s doors. The bar itself is in the classic ‘dive’ style, boasting food and beverages that make it a hit with locals and travellers alike, and the cult status of the Wachowski Sisters’ show has given it even more of a spotlight.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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Hotel Guelaguetza (Y tu mamá también, 2001) – Certain films give rise to a wave of talent, and this 2001 award winner brought us many Mexican superstars. The road movie would introduce director Alfonso Cuarón to a global audience years before his success with Gravity and Roma, while stars Maribel Verdú, Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna all became sought-after actors following this film’s success. The relatively humble Hotel Guelaguetza would provide the setting for many notable scenes as the group of three misfits make a stop on their trip to find a mysterious beach, meaning this is a must-visit for those looking to recreate the dream-like journey of the film.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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University City (Güeros, 2014) – This beautiful 2014 Mexican comedy centres around the misadventures of Tomas (Sebastián Aguirre), a young man wading through the Mexico City student riots of 1999 while trying to find his favourite singer. The film was shot in the city and devotes a large portion of its runtime to University City (Ciudad Universitaria), toward the south of the capital. Designated as a World Heritage Site in 2005, the campus boasts an Olympic Stadium, museums and a cultural centre. The tone will be calmer than Güeros’ setting, but the various landmarks will be unmistakable to fans of the film.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City.
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Estadio Azteca (Various) – While Estadio Azteca doesn’t belong to one film, it has played host to many moments celebrated on the big screen. It was one of the venues for ground-breaking 2008 concert movie U23D, while its association with football has made it legendary. It was the stadium where Diego Maradona scored his “Hand of God” and “Goal of The Century” goals against England in the 1986 World Cup, both of which have been captured in films like The Hand of God, Maradona in Mexico and, of course, documentary Diego Maradona. Having also been the place where the great Pele lifted his last World Cup, many hours of film have celebrated the moments that took place in this national landmark – which will host even more memories with the forthcoming 2026 World Cup.

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Movie Capitals: On Location In… Mexico City

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