Naman Shrestha
With Felipe Joffily at the helm, Netflix’s ‘Almost Family’ is a Brazilian comedy movie that revolves around the historic rivalry between Brazil and Argentina, embodied by the patriarch, Otávio. When he learns that his daughter, Mariana, is engaged to an Argentinian man, it leaves a bad taste in his mouth. On top of that, the fiancé’s family invites Otávio’s entire family on a trip across the border to the mountains of Bariloche in order to get to know each other before the big wedding.
Soon after he and his family arrive in the snowy landscapes of Argentina, cultural clashes and competition take no time to begin. With his jealousy getting the better of him, Otávio acts impulsively and jeopardizes his daughter’s happiness and wedding. Originally titled ‘Família, Pero No Mucho,’ the family film consists of several South American talents, including Leandro Hassum, Julia Svacinna, Gabriel Goity, Simón Hempe, Karina Ramil, and more. Most of the hilarious tale unfolds in and around the Argentine resort nestled in Bariloche, as the two families must keep their cultural rivalries aside for Mariana and her future husband.
Almost Family Filming Locations
The shooting for ‘Almost Family’ was carried out primarily in Argentina, particularly in Bariloche. From what we can tell, the principal photography for the Netflix production got underway in August 2024 and continued for about five weeks or so before getting wrapped up in September of the same year. One of the main cast members, Julia Svacinna, shared her experience of being a part of the shooting process. She stated, “5 weeks of chill, love, fun, work, friendship, football, chocolate, ice cream, fudge and more. thanks to all who were part of it! I will forever carry you and this experience with me in my memory and heart!”
Bariloche, Argentina
Almost all the pivotal sequences for ‘Almost Family’ were lensed in and around Bariloche, also known as San Carlos de Bariloche. The Patagonian Andes, the foothills of which Bariloche is situated, especially Monte Fitz Roy, also feature as a gigantic presence in many key portions of the Brazilian film. From the looks of it, the cast and crew members set up camp in multiple streets and neighborhoods of the city and turned them into film sets. As for other scenic vistas, the Nahuel Huapi Lake also features in numerous portions of the movie. Various outdoor scenes were reportedly taped at the Catedral Alta Patagonia, situated in Bariloche’s Cerro Catedral Base. It is a popular ski resort that offers nearly 1,500 acres of terrain for skiing and snowboarding.
In addition, the scenes involving the Brazilian family’s arrival in Argentina were supposedly shot at the San Carlos de Bariloche Airport at RP80 S/N in Bariloche. Located at the base of Cerro Catedral, Club Hotel Catedral also served as a prominent production location for ‘Almost Family.’ Besides providing a panoramic view of the mountains, the luxurious hotel also offers various kinds of rooms, wellness services, a couple of fine-dining restaurants and bars, a game room, and outdoor activities, such as horseback riding, snowmobile riding, and sailing on Lake Nahuel Huapi.
For the establishing shots, the production team captured the city’s diverse landscape with the snow-capped mountains in the backdrop. Thus, you are likely to spot several popular landmarks and places of interest, such as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Nahuel Huapi, the Llao Llao Hotel, the Civic Center, and more. Apart from ‘Almost Family,’ Bariloche has also hosted the production of several other films and TV shows, including ‘Arroz con Leche,’ ‘Rebelde Way,’ and ‘Muñeca Brava.’
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