At the beginning of the week, the shooting of a high-budget film with Hollywood stars began in Piran, and the most famous names are certainly Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry. On Monday, the production team closed a large part of Piran’s Punta for a few days, where they filmed action scenes for the film Our Man from Jersey or in the translation Our Man from Jersey; these days, the filming moved to Ulica svobode and in the mattress.
However, the entire filming is shrouded in secrecy, as those involved in the film’s story had to sign a contract to remain silent, and all information will be shared with the public after October 4, when the team will leave Piran and continue their journey to Rovinj. Perhaps as an interesting point, we can mention that Rovinj was the first choice of the film company, but on the way they turned to Piran, where the city with its rich history convinced them to stay here. So, as the Croatian media write, on October 4, the action crew will shoot in Pula and an even smaller scene with local extras in one of the hotel lobbies in Rovinj. According to guesses and numerous hints, it is supposed to be the five-star Grand Park Hotel Rovinj, where a room costs from 800 euros per night.
Interesting piranha “chakoles”
Despite everything, especially the locals try to catch a glimpse of what is happening, but they did not manage to see or learn much, because there are also several security guards at the locations, who are also obliged to remain silent. But even if they try to hide the information, “chakols” have always been and will remain a part of piranha life. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find out how much compensation the restaurateurs and traders will receive, who had a few days of “forced” leave due to the closed doors. The amount discussed in the inn debates is around 1,200 euros. Despite the fact that it was suggested that the stars and the team were staying in the Piran hotel, we Alexander Pinter, deputy director of Eurotas hotels, said that this is simply not the case. “Months ago we got an inquiry for a larger group of people, but at the time we didn’t connect it with the film crew. We would also not be able to provide them with the desired number of rooms, as we are quite full during this period,” he said, adding that the hotel’s guests follow the events with interest, and have no complaints about the occasional restriction of movement. “But it’s nice to see Mark Wahlberg casually walking around Piran’s Punta without bodyguards and greeting passers-by. This is the best advertisement for our destination, because it says that it is beautiful, peaceful and safe.” Pirnat could not say where the team actually sleeps, but according to some information, the Kempinski Hotel in Portorož is hosting them.
Piran roofs are another one of the morning coffee treats. Certain action shots with stuntmen, of course, were supposed to be shot while jumping on rooftops. When the owners were initially offered 250 to 500 euros in compensation, and then dropped the price to 100 euros, the team apparently did not get permission. With the help of containers, they are supposed to create an artificial backdrop in Piran’s Mandarč, and the dialogues with the actors will be filmed next week on Trubarjeva Street, which will also be closed during this time.
The extras include locals
The production company Pakt media, which is one of the main partners of the film production company Netflix, also hired a large number of extras. A total of approximately 1,200 people are expected to participate in the filming in Piran. “I myself responded to the invitation to act, but then I resigned due to health reasons. Stating was expected for three consecutive days for 12 hours,” a local woman, also a Piran councilor, told us. Barbara Kožar, and added that the fee is 80 euros gross per recording day. “The friend who was filming had a pleasant experience. Maybe she was just a bit cold, because she was in the same dress from 7 o’clock until the evening. Also, the next day she had to come dressed in the same outfit with the same makeup. But they took care of the mood and the food on the set perfectly. They had two hot meals, snacks were available to them all the time,” said Kožarjeva, who will still have fond memories of the film. “I have a technical team in my apartment right now who connected a huge spotlight to my electricity. I did warn that there could be problems with the electricity, but the guys just laughed and assured me that, if necessary, they would fix it,” said Kožarjeva, adding that she also met Wahlberg, who is extremely nice and a kind man. “Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take pictures.” Yesterday afternoon, the people of Piran were also pleasantly surprised by actress Halle Barry, who walked around the city for the first time. “Until now, only her doppelganger and the actor’s doppelganger could be seen by JK Simmons. It’s about the stuntmen who filmed all the action shots,” Kožarjeva confided to us.
The president of the Piran Local Community is also satisfied with the arrival of many film crews Zora Muzinić, who praised the correct cooperation with Park media. “The film crew is aware that they are strangers in the city. The reactions of the locals are of course different, as we have barely finished the main tourist season. That’s why I put it on the heart of the locals that they need a little more patience and that the events surrounding the film remain in their fond memories,” Mužićeva said, adding that this time Piran is actually playing himself. “He was the protagonist in at least fifty films, except for Summer in the Shell, Red Car and Vojnović’s Piran.”
