Panama goes Hollywood

AP/Archivo

De Niro es uno de los creadores del famoso festival de cine de Tribeca.

30/12/2012 - Panama has never lost its charm for producers from Hollywood and Latin America because of its geographical advantages and natural scenery.

Soap operas, reality shows, documentaries and feature films have been recorded in Panama locations such as San Felipe, San Lorenzo Fort, the Bay of Panama and the Panama Canal.

Herbie, the Disney volkswagen, went through the locks of the Panama Canal at the end of the 1970s, and the country has also hosted movie stars John Travolta and Pierce Brosnan in political and crime thrillers.

More recently Daniel Craig, playing James Bond, walked through the streets of Casco Viejo in the 22nd film of that series.

A QUARTER OF 'GLAMOUR'

After the adoption of a new law that promotes the cinematography, Panama has watched its involvement in movies grow.

In the first quarter of 2013, Robert De Niro, Gael Garcí­a Bernal and Benicio del Toro will come to Panama.

De Niro will portray trainer Ray Arcel in a film about Roberto Durán being directed by Venezuelan filmmaker Jonathan Jakubowicz.

While Benicio del Toro will portray Colombian Pablo Escobar in the film Paradise Lost that will begin to be shot in March 2013 in Panama.

The presence of del Toro and De Niro is important to Panama since these two actors are very respected in Hollywood and are winners of multiple awards, including the Oscar. Garcia Bernal, who will portray Durán, has had his latest film pre-selected to compete in the 2013 Oscars as best foreign language film.

The country will also host the Panama Film Festival scheduled for April.