Madrid, Woody Allen's new cinematic muse
New York, Paris, Rome and Barcelona are an inseparable part of Woody Allen’s cinematic imagination. Now the American director wants to add a new name to that list: Madrid. At 90, Allen is preparing a new film...
New York, Paris, Rome and Barcelona are an inseparable part of Woody Allen’s cinematic imagination. Now the American director wants to add a new name to that list: Madrid.
At 90, Allen is preparing a new film that is due to start shooting on 5 October. Although the plot and cast are still under wraps, one idea recurs in every description of the project: the Spanish capital will be far more than just a backdrop. Conceived as an ensemble romantic comedy, the film aims to turn Madrid into one of the main characters in the story, following in the footsteps of other cities that have left their mark on the director’s filmography.
This will not be Allen’s first foray into Spain. He has already shot ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ and, years later, ‘Rifkin’s Festival’, set in San Sebastián. He had never, however, set one of his stories in Madrid. “I will be very happy to return to Spain,” Allen said when the project was announced at the end of last year. “This would be my third time shooting there and my first chance to make a film in Madrid, a city I have always loved.”
The choice is no accident. Beyond serving as a backdrop, the initiative is designed to showcase the city to the world. Madrid City Council says (source in Spanish) it will help promote the city as a ‘tourist, cultural and creative’ destination to international audiences. The ambition is for the capital to play a role in the story that is as recognisable as that of other cities closely tied to Allen’s cinematic universe.
A film to showcase Madrid to the world
Madrid will not only appear on screen. It will also feature in the film’s title, which must include the city’s name as one of the conditions attached to the project.
For now, it has the working title ‘WASP 2026’ (an acronym for ‘Woody Allen Summer Project’, Woody Allen’s summer project), while the production team makes the final preparations before filming begins. The project brings together Wanda Visión, Gravier Productions and 3Six9 Studios.
Under the terms of the agreement, the film will prominently feature locations, landscapes and elements of Madrid’s architectural, historical and cultural heritage. The intention is for the capital to be visibly present throughout the narrative and for viewers to be able to identify it clearly on screen. At least 15% of the film’s scenes will be shot outdoors.
The strategy does not end with the shoot. The production plans include an international release, participation in major festivals and promotional activities outside Spain, including preview screenings in several international cities.
Another distinctive feature of the project is that pre-production and filming will be carried out entirely in Madrid, while post-production will be split between the Spanish capital and New York.
The unfinished business
Allen’s forthcoming film has also become one of Madrid’s most ambitious examples of institutional backing for international cinema in recent years.
The City Council’s contribution stands at 1.5 million euros, representing 12.5% of the total production budget of 12 million euros.
Forecasts also point to the creation of 1,196 direct and 2,293 indirect jobs, in addition to the economic impact generated by spending on audiovisual services, transport, accommodation, catering and logistics linked to the shoot.
The move forms part of a broader strategy to establish Madrid as an international audiovisual destination. The Madrid authorities point to the boom in so-called ‘screen tourism’, a phenomenon that attracts around 100 million travellers a year worldwide and has led many cities to use cinema as a tool for promoting themselves abroad.
The project documentation also identifies several priority markets for the film’s international roll-out, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Canada. The hope is that the international run of a film signed by Woody Allen will help keep Madrid in the spotlight long after filming has wrapped.
The production continues Allen’s European journey. Madrid was the unfinished business.
