Puglia, with its breathtaking landscapes, ancient villages and timeless atmospheres, has always fascinated Italian and international directors. There are numerous films set in this region, but there are five that, for public success, artistic importance and cultural impact, stand out as the most viewed and significant of all time.
But what are the 5 most viewed films ever shot in Puglia? We have named five historic ones here.
The 5 most viewed films ever shot in Puglia
- 1. Pinocchio (2019) – Matteo Garrone. Matteo Garrone has once again chosen Puglia to bring to life a fantastic and surreal world. In Pinocchio, with Roberto Benigni and Gigi Proietti, the region is the protagonist of numerous sequences: from the caves and ravines of Polignano a Mare, to the countryside of Ostuni, up to the suggestive Ponte Acquedotto di Gravina. The film obtained 15 nominations for the David di Donatello, winning five, and received two nominations for the Oscars. Garrone had already chosen Puglia for Tale of Tales (2015), demonstrating the imaginative power of the territory.
- 2. I'm not afraid (2003) – Gabriele Salvatores. Based on the novel by Niccolò Ammaniti, this intense psychological thriller was shot almost entirely between Basilicata and Puglia. The region itself becomes the protagonist, with the wheat fields between Candela, the Murgia and the Ofanto valley offering a suggestive and almost fairy-tale-like visual context. Winner of two David di Donatello awards, I'm Not Scared was also selected to represent Italy at the Oscars, consecrating Salvatores among the greats of contemporary Italian cinema.
- 3. Loose cannons (2010) – Ferzan Ozpetek. With Loose Cannons, Ozpetek was able to tell the story of contemporary Puglia with a poetic and ironic touch, choosing Lecce as the main setting. The film was a great success with the public, helping to make Salento one of the most popular film destinations. In addition to its architectural and naturalistic beauty, the film celebrates the traditions and contrasts of a land suspended between modernity and deep roots. Ozpetek will return to Lecce for Fasten Your Seatbelts (2014), strengthening the bond between his cinema and the region.
In addition to these more recent films, here are two older ones:
- 4. The sun even at night (1990) – Paolo and Vittorio TavianiFreely inspired by the story Father Sergius by Leo Tolstoy, this film by the Taviani brothers was presented out of competition at Cannes. Although much of the filming was done in Abruzzo, some of the most iconic scenes – such as the protagonist's hermitage – were filmed on the Murgia in Puglia, between Altamura and Gravina. An intense work, which marries well with the spirituality and solemnity of the Murgia landscape.
- 5. The Gospel according to Matthew (1964) – Pier Paolo Pasolini. An absolute masterpiece of Italian cinema, The Gospel According to Matthew is the film with which Pasolini rewrites the religious cinematographic language. The director deliberately chose Southern Italy for its archaic and authentic atmospheres, finding in Puglia the perfect stage for his spiritual narration. Ginosa, Massafra, Manduria, Castel del Monte, Santeramo and Gioia del Colle hosted the filming of some of the most memorable sequences, including that of Herod's banquet. The film is today considered one of the most important in the history of world cinema.
These five films not only represent the best of Italian cinema, but have also contributed to telling and promoting the Puglia in the world, a region that today is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy and beyond. Their images have carved into the collective imagination a region rich in history, charm and beauty, making it an open-air film set.
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