In Bilbao there are not residents, there are txikiteros. Txikiteros are names given to those who drink txikitos, small glasses of wine served in the bars.
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To say that Bilbao is a film city is not just a saying because of its incredible monuments, a historic Old Town with a history of its own and a gastronomy that will make you think about moving here permanently.
We mean it literally, it's a film city because you've seen the city on the big screen more than once. You are sure to have recognised some of its well-known locations and, on occasions, Bilbao can be so chameleon-like that it has represented another city.
Let's take a look at the filmography of the most recorded Bilbao since the beginning of the 21st century.
Yes, you're right, as soon as I said that we were starting in the year 2000, here we go and show the first film from 1999. But can anyone deny anything to the most famous detective in history? With Sherlock Holmes' permission, of course.
James Bond came to Bilbao a few years ago with a glittering Guggenheim Museum, inaugurated barely two years ago, and a Puppy who starred in the first of many famous shots on the big screen. Making his debut with James Bond is not bad at all.
Directed by Achero Mañas, despite having great actors like Óscar Jaenada, Íngrid Rubio or Juan Díaz in the cast, the great interpretation of this film is done by the city of Bilbao. The reason? Its metro. La Villa gave a great performance, and makes the viewers believe that they are actually watching the Madrid metro.
Even in blockbusters, Bilbao is cosmopolitan and plural. Not only Hollywood has fallen at the feet of the Villa, but Bollywood has also succumbed to its charms, and for proof, some of the final shots of this Indian production in and around the Guggenheim Museum.
A film as much about Bilbao as the Basilica of the Virgin of Begoña. Its story takes place in the Villa, in the 70s when the great urban change had not yet arrived and it was industrial, its actors are from Bilbao, as are the directors Patxo Telleria and Aitor Mazo. So don't expect to see just a couple of shots of the city centre, here you will see the city from top to bottom.
In this well-known comedy you will be able to accompany the main characters on their strolls along the Arenal, passing by the University of the Basque Country and La Paloma, as the Bilbao Airport, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is known.
Another film with a Bilbao essence, not only does it use Bilbao as a setting, but its director, Luis Marías, is also from Bilbao. The film is a fantastic film in which hatred and revenge shape the life of its protagonist, played masterfully by José Coronado.
Hollywood doesn't forget us, and this is demonstrated in a blockbuster by the creators of the Matrix saga, the Wachowski sisters, who decided to take their entire team to Bilbao to shoot the last scene of their film "Jupiter Ascending", where we can see the surroundings of the Guggenheim Museum as well as the Zubizuri bridge. We don't want to spoil the film for you, but we'll just say, what a mess they made for just the last scene!
With Aitor Arregi and Jon Garaño at the helm, this film tells the true story of Miguel Joaquín Eleizegui Arteaga, who suffered from gigantism. Among the many places we will recognise, we can highlight the back of the Palacio de la Diputación Foral de Bizkaia on Bilbao's Gran Vía, a key monument in the city. And if they tell you in the film that this is London, don't believe it, we all know that it is the heart of Bilbao.
You can't imagine how many things can happen between the Zubizuri Bridge and the Olabarri Palace. Let yourself be carried away by Maribel Verdú and Antonio Resines in this comedy that will make you enjoy a good time and fantastic views of Bilbao. Is that the Iberdrola Tower?
Getxo, Alonsotegi and Bilbao share the shots of this film directed by Koldo Serra with big names in Spanish cinema such as Emma Suarez, Hugo Silva and Nathalie Poza. So don't wait to see a corner in passing, you will recognise many of the backgrounds.
This fantastic Spanish comedy, starring Ernesto Sevilla, Arturo Valls and Julián López, takes us on a journey through half of Europe and, of course, stops off in Bilbao. Discover the impressive Abando-Indalecio Prieto station, with its iron vault and stained-glass window made up of more than 300 coloured pieces.
Basque gastronomy transcends beyond restaurants and bars and reaches the big screen in this film by Joaquín Mazón, starring the brilliant Karra Elejalde. Take a stroll through the Casco Viejo, the heart of the city of Bilbao with its Seven Streets, full of history and monuments.
The Bilbao-born Álex de la Iglesia directs this film in which we will travel through places such as the Plaza de Don Federico de Moyúa and a large part of the Ensanche, highlighting the central Gran Vía. Accompany Ernesto Alterio, Alberto San Juan, Blanca Suárez and Rubén Cortada on this peculiar journey by car to Madrid.
