The archipelago plays a fundamental role in the new film by the American giant 'Apocalypse Z', based on the homonymous trilogy by Manel Loureiro
It is undeniable that the Canary Islands are already a benchmark in the international audiovisual sector and that their ability to attract filming and large productions is increasing, but the archipelago is already beginning to stand out even in productions that do not visit the islands.
This is the case of Amazon's new blockbuster: 'Zombie Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End', a film based on the trilogy of novels of the same name by Galician author Manel Loureiro. The project is the latest venture of the Amazon streaming platform (one of the most internationally recognised and which has already filmed projects such as 'Zorro' on the islands) and also has the backing of the historic production company Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios, acquired by Jeff Bezos' multinational a few years ago.
The film, as its name suggests, is about the spread of a lethal virus that turns those infected into zombies and follows Manel, a Galician who seeks to flee Vigo (where the film is shot) to the Canary Islands to reunite with his sister.
In fact, one of the most shocking scenes in the film takes place right at the boarding gate of the flight to Gran Canaria, where the protagonist tries to escape the spread of the virus.
Specifically, Manel seeks to escape to Gran Canaria, where “safe zones” have been established for the “non-infected.” The film is reminiscent of major productions such as “The Walking Dead,” “The Last of Us,” and “World War Z,” although it has many references and similarities to the COVID-19 pandemic; in fact, the plot takes place in post-COVID Spain.
The film was released just a few weeks ago on the platform after its screening at the Sitges Film Festival and is already number one in more than 90 countries, including Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and France. A total success, considering that the film can be seen through the platform in 190 countries and that in the rest of them it is in the Top 10.
The author of the saga himself assured that he 'snuck' a reference to the famous Christmas in Vigo into the film so that "millions of people would be curious and look for it on the Internet", so the same could be expected from the Canary Islands, 'the saving destiny' of the movie.
