Shubhabrata Dutta
Created by Nils-Antoine Sambuc, Netflix’s ‘Under a Dark Sun’ (‘Soleil Noir,’ AKA ‘Qui sème le vent’) can be touted as a multi-episode manifestation of Shakespeare’s words from Macbeth: “The near in blood, the nearer bloody.” The French thriller miniseries revolves around Alba, a young woman who settles in Provence, France, while running away from her shady past. Taking up a job at a flower farm, she aims to give her son a better life. Unfortunately, fate has other things in store as the owner of the farm is soon murdered, and she becomes the prime suspect.
Considering the man, revealed to be her biological father, had her as a beneficiary to a quarter of the property, the motive for murder is also evident. As days pass and the serpent of suspicion tightens its grip around Ava’s neck, she is forced to navigate lies, deceit, family secrets, and even threats from her own family members while searching for answers. Since the new world the protagonist finds herself in becomes a threat to her, the visuals turn the backdrops into secondary characters trying to manipulate her.
Under a Dark Sun Filming Locations
‘Under a Dark Sun’ was filmed entirely in France, specifically in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Principal photography reportedly began in the last week of May 2024 and continued for several months before wrapping up in the first week of October the same year. While maintaining the scope of the narrative, the production team showcased as much of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur as they could to highlight the gorgeous French region that contributes to the very fabric of the show.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, an administrative region in southeastern France, served as the base for the crew of ‘Under a Dark Sun.’ The story is set in Eze, a seaside commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department. The historic location is reputed worldwide for its hilltop portion that offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. Many scenes were taped in the hilltop area and used for establishing shots. While the village itself is a must-visit for tourists, hotspots include Chemin de Nietzsche, Fort De La Revère, Ruines du Village du Mont Bastide, and Eglise Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption. Provence, a province boasting historical architecture and gorgeous natural landscapes, was used extensively to film indoor and outdoor scenes and for establishing shots. A well-known filming spot, it has served as the base for ‘Delicious‘ and ‘K.O.‘
Nice, a city in the Côte d’Azur part of the region, became the backdrop for several scenes. Located on the French Riviera, it is known for its colorful buildings, enabling the creative team to add richness to the visuals. Victorine Studios, AKA Studios de la Victorine, is located at 16 Avenue Edouard Grinda in Nice, which the crew may have resorted to for recording several scenes. Other films and shows that have done the same include ‘Heads of State,’ ‘Surface,’ ‘Offline Love,’ ‘The Substance,’ and ‘Libre.’
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is known for its diverse agricultural landscape and has numerous farms, one or more of which the production team may have used as the setting for the farm scenes. The region has a reputation in the world of cinema as it boasts the city of Cannes, which holds the Cannes Film Festival, one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Naturally, it is home to many production studios that the crew may have utilised for lensing indoor and outdoor scenes. Besides being the mecca for cinephiles, the region is known for its museums, some of which are among the most visited in the country. They include the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, Musée Cantini, Musée Grobet-Labadié, and Musée des Beaux-Arts de Marseille. ‘The Stolen Girl’ was also shot in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
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