Czech Republic - an attractive location for foreign filmmakers

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The 2005 film adaptation of C.S. Lewis's literary classic, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is out now in the Czech Republic. Czech viewers will instantly recognise that some scenes were shot in the nature reserve of Cesky raj or Czech Paradise. The unmistakable stunning sandstone formations of Cesky raj and other natural beauties of the Czech Republic are not the only attractions for foreign filmmakers.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion,  the Witch and the Wardrobe
The capital Prague and the largest number of preserved castles in Europe, second only to Great Britain, make the Czech Republic a desirable location. Ludmila Claussova of the Czech Film Commission, a body providing information to filmmakers planning to shoot in the Czech Republic:

"At the moment in Czech cinemas, there are two films as far as I know. One is Terry Gilliam's film Brothers Grimm which was shot in 2003. It was shot entirely in the Czech Republic. Then the Chronicles of Narnia which was shot here last year. At the end of March there will be a Czech release of the film Hostel, which is quite an interesting thing. Now the film is a box-office hit in the United States. It was shot entirely in the Czech Republic as a low budget-project a year ago. It is very interesting for us because it was shot with a 90 percent Czech crew, a Czech director of photography, on Czech location as a low-budget film, and now it is a box-office hit in the United States."

Ludmila Claussova adds that skilled professionals, besides the magnificent locations, are the principal reason why foreign filmmakers seek out the Czech Republic.

"I think it is the production value because they get very good, very professional, creative work for good money."

Are we going to run into some famous foreign crews this year in the Czech Republic? Another question for Ludmila Claussova.

"We are expecting James Bond coming in January - the principle photography will start at the end of January. The James Bond crew will stay here for six months. Another film is a French co-production. It's a film about the life of Edith Piaf, called La Môme."