Filming of “My Brilliant Friend” in Florence

Vintage cars, buses and scooters can be seen in Florence as the 1970s makes a brief return. Filming of the third series of the television show based on Elena Ferrante’s popular series, My Brilliant Friend (L’amica Geniale), excites fans and incites curiosity in passersby as a film crew sets up in the city. 

Ph. Dario Nardella

The historic centre is the stage for much of the new series, with several scenes already shot in piazza della Signoria since February 1. The new episodes of the series continue to focus on the friendship of  Elena Greco (Lenù) and Raffaella Cerullo (Lila) with filming locations to include piazza della Signoria, piazza Santa Croce, piazza Santissima Annunziata, and private locations such as a historic residence located between via de ‘Servi and piazza Santissima Annunziata. A second filming shoot is planned for September that will once more involve Florence, as well as Versilia. 

Ph. Dario Nardella

The second series was partly set in Pisa, with this chapter of Ferrante’s Neapolitan quadrilogy titled ‘The story of those who flee and those who remain’ (‘Storia di chi fugge e di chi resta’), set in the 1970s. Mayor Nardella posted the photographs above on social media and recalled the years in which vehicles still passed through the magnificent piazza. In a press release, Mayor Nardella commented, “These shots are a message of how cinema and culture in general are restarting, it’s also a sign of rebirth for Florence after very troubled months. The city once again becomes the ideal set for filming and we are sure that squares, monuments and views will be able to play a role beyond that of a mere extra in the film”.

Ph. Dario Nardella

Hotel Mediterraneo will be the logistical base during filming, with the production offices, costume and set design department, and the various technical and artistic departments to be based there. 

Ph. Dario Nardella

The filming, a HBP-RAI Fiction series directed by Daniele Luchetti, has the support of the Municipality of Florence and the Toscana Film Commission, with scenography curated by well-known artist, Giancarlo Basili.