Where was Old filmed?
2021
City Locations
Carretera (Dominican Republic), Samana (Dominican Republic), Playa Juan Dolio (Dominican Republic)
Location Types
Beach/Oceanview, Film Studio, Hotel
Location Styles
Beachfront, Exotic/Tropical, Foreign, Resort
About Old
M. Night Shyamalan's 2021 horror thriller film Old is inspired by the Swiss graphic novel Sandcastle, written in the French language by Pierre Oscar Levy and Frederik Peeters. The movie follows a gathering of people stuck on a remote beach where they quickly begin to age rapidly. An ensemble cast, including Vicky Krieps, Gael García Bernal, Alex Wolff, Rufus Sewell, Abbey Lee, Thomasin McKenzie, Eliza Scanlen, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Aaron Pierre, Embeth Davidtz, Ken Leung, and Emun Elliott, bring the plot to life. On Father's Day 2017, M. Night Shyamalan was presented with the Swiss graphic novel and he was immediately inspired to transform it into a movie When questioned about the catalyst behind his endeavor to transform the book into a film, Shyamalan confessed, "the novel gave me an opening to grapple with my apprehensions of mortality and aging that I was facing - particularly as it concerned my parents growing older." The untitled project was announced in September 2019, in partnership with Universal Pictures. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, filming took three months in 2020, across diverse locations across the Dominican Republic, with Michael Gioulakis as the cinematographer. On July 19, 2021, the film made its debut at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, preceding its nationwide theatrical release on July 23 of that year. The film grossed $90 million worldwide against an $18 million budget and garnered mixed reviews from critics.
Old Locations
Old came to be as an inspired work, with derivations from a selection of films such as Walkabout (1971), The Exterminating Angel (1962), Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), Kuroneko (1968), Jaws (1975), and The Twilight Zone. To create an atmosphere of claustrophobia, Akira Kurosawa's distinctive filming techniques from Rashomon (1950) and Ran (1985) were employed. Consequently, the majority of filming took place at one spot in Santa Bárbara de Samaná - namely Playa El Valle beach which is situated between two mountains. To complete the movie, extra shooting was done at the Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios in Juan Dolio as well as other locations around Samaná. To capture footage of the natural landscape, M. Night Shyamalan's daughter Ishana courageously filled in as the second unit director. Meanwhile, Saleka, M. Night Shyamalan’s other daughter, wrote an emotionally charged song "Remain,” inspired by wedding vows and U2's classic hit "With or Without You.” The gorgeous melody spotlighted the strong connection between Guy (Gael García Bernal) and (Prisca Vicky Krieps) Cappa as well as their unconditional love for each other. Several members of the cast mentioned how M. Night Shyamalan employed storyboards to precisely frame every shot in the movie. According to Ishana Shyamalan, her father adopted a "very prescribed and programmatic" approach while Wolff claimed spoke highly of the director’s extraordinary precision regarding the age and emotion of his actors. Wolff and McKenzie were among the first performers who were selected after they sent audition tapes. While filming the pregnancy scene, temperatures soared uncomfortably high and caused Wolff to faint. Post-production editing was undertaken by Brett M. Reed while Trevor Gureckis composed the score for the film, released in July 2021 by Back Lot Music.
The family arrives at Anamika Resort scene in Old
Amanera Resort, Auto. 5. Carretera, Carretera, Rio San Juan 33300, Dominican Republic
Guy (Gael García Bernal) and Prisca (Vicky Krieps) Cappa are in the process of separating. To avoid upsetting their two children, Maddox (Thomasin McKenzie) and Trent (Alex Wolff), they go on one last family vacation to a tropical resort. The manager of the resort (Gustaf Hammarsten) greets the family and guides them towards reception. To kickstart the movie, a luxurious Dominican Republic resort served as the setting for the initial scenes of the film. Although it looks like an island off of France's coast, where the movie is set, the Caribbean hotel and beach are actually stand-ins for that location. Amanera Resort in the Dominican Republic is an exclusive beachfront resort set on the stunningly beautiful north coast of the Dominican Republic. Located in Playa Grande, the resort offers guests a unique blend of Caribbean hospitality and luxury amenities. The hotel offers spacious guest rooms and suites with views of either the ocean or the lush tropical gardens. Guests can enjoy world-class dining, exquisite spa treatments, exciting excursions to explore local culture and wildlife, and activities such as swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, tennis, and golf. Getting to Amanera Resort in the Dominican Republic, from Santo Domingo, take the Autopista Las Americas (Auto. 5). This highway takes you straight to Rio San Juan and, eventually, Amanera Resort - located at Carretera Puerto Plata - Rio San Juan, Km 28.5, 33300 Rio San Juan.
Meeting other families on the Beach scene in Old
Playa El Valle, Samana, Dominican Republic
The following morning, the manager leads the family to a private beach where they meet three other groups. Rapper Brendan "Midsize Sedan" (Aaron Pierre) and his female companion, surgeon Charles (Rufus Sewell) and his wife Chrystal (Abbey Lee) and daughter Kara (Eliza Scanlen) plus Charles' elderly mother Agnes (Kathleen Chalfant), Jarin (Ken Leung) and Patricia (Nikki Amuka-Bird) Carmichael, a pair of husband and wife, are the other vacationers. Playa El Valle is one of the most stunning beaches in the Dominican Republic. Located in Samana, this secluded beach offers guests a piece of paradise, with its crystal-clear waters and white sand. Visitors can enjoy activities such as kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, horseback riding, and exploring nature trails. Several restaurants along the beach serve Caribbean cuisine and seafood specialties. For those looking for a more adventurous experience, the nearby El Valle Waterfall provides both intermediate and beginner-level hikes through lush jungle scenery The best way to get there is by plane, and there are international airports located in Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo, and Punta Cana that offer flights directly to El Catey International Airport near Samana. There is also the option of taking a bus ride from any major city or town in the Dominican Republic. A final option is renting a car and driving to Playa El Valle Beach.
Guy and Prisca arguing scene in Old
Autovía del Este Km. 62., Playa Juan Dolio 21000, Dominican Republic
Maddox and Trent befriend the manager's nephew, Idlib (Kailen Jude). After dark, once everyone is getting comfortable with their other fellow resort guests, Maddox and Trent eavesdrop on a heated argument between their parents. To distract themselves from the dispute, they join Idlib in a game of decryption messages. Guy pleads for alternatives to avoid divorce while Prisca stays adamant about ending their marriage and telling their children about it. Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios is the Caribbean's premier film production facility. Located in the popular tourist destination of Puerto Plata, the studio offers a variety of services for independent and Hollywood filmmakers alike. The studio's vast backlot area allows for sets to be constructed on-site and its soundstage facilities offer high-tech gear for both sound and picture recording. In addition, Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios provides state-of-the-art post-production services, special effects, location scouting services, and experienced staff to help with all aspects of production. Getting to Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios from outside the country starts with hopping on a flight to the Dominican Republic. Once you land, the studios are located just off Highway 2 near the international airport, so if you charter a car or are taking public transport, it's very easy to track down. For those looking for an extra bit of adventure, there are organized tours available that will take you directly from the airport. Once there, vibrant Caribbean culture awaits! It's truly a great experience getting to explore both behind and in front of the camera at Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios.
Conclusion
A family takes a holiday to a secluded beach. They speak in that subtle, wistful way adults do when trying to tell kids things, mom talks about how excited she is to hear her daughter's singing voice once she grows up. However, it's implied that this might be their last trip as a family, due to either the mother's health or the state of their failing marriage. Aging can make time feel like it passes in an instant, especially when you notice your children growing up too quickly, and when you worry that you won't get to be there for them throughout their life journey. M. Night Shyamalan's movie "Old," based on Frederick Peeters and Pierre-Oscar Lévy's book, does a great job at exploring these themes through surreal and chilling visuals but unfortunately falters when it feels the need to go into specifics, resulting in an unsatisfying ending.