Motril joins the “Film in Granada” Location Guide

The Old Pilar Sugar Factory, the Park of the Peoples and Villa Astrida are now available as new filming locations

The municipality of Motril, the second largest in the province of Granada in terms of population, has joined the catalogue of film locations of Film in Granada, the Provincial Council’s film office, with three iconic locations: the old Nuestra Señora del Pilar sugar factory, the popular Parque de los Pueblos de América and the exclusive Villa Astrida in Playa Granada.

The Nuestra Señora del Pilar Sugar Factory is an old industrial complex located in the eastern part of Motril, on a hill in the Rambla de las Brujas area, within the town’s urban perimeter. Built at the end of the 19th century as a sugar factory, it remained in operation between 1883 and 1984. It is currently partially preserved and houses the Industrial Sugar Museum. Among the preserved items are a set of Fives-Lille steam engines from 1889 and a sugar mill from the same period.

Interior of the Old Sugar Factory. Photos: Lucía Rivas / Film in Granada

The Old Sugar Factory was used as the main location for the film Cuba (Richard Lester, 1979), starring Scottish actor Sean Connery and American actress Brooke Adams. Several scenes were also shot in the sugar cane fields near Camino del Canal.

Stills from Richard Lester’s film “Cuba” (1979). Photos: Granada de Cine

Following its recent renovation, the The Park of the Peoples of America has become a landmark in the province of Granada. Located at the foot of the Cerro del Santuario de Ntra. Señora de la Cabeza, it is home to more than 50 exotic and subtropical trees and shrubs brought from different parts of the American continent. It is a charming outdoor space for all ages, with something for everyone: walking, relaxing, playing sports, playing games or just having fun. From now on, it will also be able to host all kinds of film, television and advertising shoots.

The Park of the Peoples of America. Photos: Lucía Rivas / Film in Granada

The iconic Villa Astrida was, from Christmas 1967 onwards, the holiday home of Their Majesties King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola of Belgium. It was a place that had a profound impact on their lives as a space for rest and enjoyment. It is located in a privileged enclave on Granada’s Costa Tropical, Playa Granada, and offers spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada. It has an extensive 27,000 square metre palm tree garden, considered a true oasis in the region. Since July 2023, this legendary corner of the Granada coast has opened its doors to the public to share the figure of King Baudouin, his philosophy of life and his human and spiritual legacy.

Swimming pool decorated with Fajalauza ceramics. Photos: Paul Martínez / Fundación Rey Balduino

Film in Granada, the Provincial Film Office, has facilitated the filming in the province of Granada of films such as Saturn Return by Isaki Lacuesta & Pol Rodríguez, Society of the Snow by J.A. Bayona, Close Your Eyes by Víctor Erice and Tobacco Barns by Rocío Mesa, and has a catalogue of 135 locations throughout the province, most of which are public spaces offered by the local councils of Granada.