Naman Shrestha
Based on true events, Netflix’s ‘She Walks in Darkness’ is a Spanish political thriller drama movie written and directed by Agustín Díaz Yanes. Set in the 1990s and 2000s, the narrative follows a young and competent Civil Guard officer named Amaia who decides to prioritize her country’s fight against terrorism over her personal life. Her mission involves her infiltrating a separatist terrorist organization called the ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna) by going undercover and pretending to be a member of the group.
Risking her life for more than a decade, Amaia gains access and knowledge about the terrorists’ hideouts and secret weapons caches located across the southern region of France. Originally titled ‘Un fantasma en la batalla,’ the period crime film stars Susana Abaitua, Andrés Gertrúdix, Iraia Elias, Ariadna Gil, and Raúl Arévalo. The contrasting and constantly changing backdrops between Spain and France dictate the pace of the narrative and keep the viewers glued to the screen.
She Walks in Darkness Filming Locations
Since the narrative unfolds in Spain and France, the production team of ‘She Walks in Darkness’ filmed the thriller entirely on location in the two nations, especially in Gipuzkoa and the French Basque Country. According to reports, principal photography got underway in April 2024 and went on for about two months before seemingly wrapping up in June of the same year.
Gipuzkoa, Spain
The Spanish province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque Country also served as a filming spot for ‘She Walks in Darkness.’ In the region, the cast and crew visited the capital city of San Sebastián, officially known as Donostia, to tape a few scenes. Filming also took place in Tolosa, a culturally rich historic city nestled on the banks of the river Oria in the heart of the Basque Country. In particular, some shots were captured at Tolosa Town Hall, a Baroque-style government office located in Plaza Zaharra. The Beotibar Fronton at San Frantzisko Pasealekua Ibilbidea was also chosen as one of the sites to bring the Spanish thriller to life. On May 30, 2024, the team carried out filming at the center, reportedly wrapping it up the next day.
For additional shooting, the production team visited the city and municipality of Eibar in the aforementioned province. According to reports, from May 20 to 27, 2024, the crew set up camp on Julián Etxeberria Street as well as the streets of Arragueta and Toribio Etxeberria. Prior to moving to Gipuzkoa, the production of the political thriller film was conducted in several locales of the province/autonomous community of Navarre in the northern part of the country. In early May, several shots were taken in the picturesque village of Bera.
French Basque Country, France
For shooting purposes, the filming unit of ‘She Walks in Darkness’ also traveled to the French Basque Country, also known as Iparralde. Apart from setting up camp across different areas of the region, the cast and crew were also spotted taping a few portions in and around the commune of Salies-de-Béarn, which is situated in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. During a conversation with El Diario Vasco, the director, Agustín Díaz Yanes, opened up about shooting on location. He stated, “These are the locations where both parts of the film take place. ETA’s apparatus and leadership were in the south of France. One of the great things about working with Netflix was being able to work there, which is very expensive, but was necessary for greater realism.”
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