06/06/2023
The Little Mermaid swims in the protected marine areas of Sardinia.
Tomorrow, the latest Disney version of The Little Mermaid will hit Italian theaters, a cinematic work that used some of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia as its filming locations.
Although set in the Caribbean, Ariel's beach is actually located in the waters of Rena Maiore (where the dramatic rescue scenes of Eric were shot); the prince's castle is that of Castelsardo; while at Cala Moresca, a beach with a fishermen's pier and a bay, the scenes set in the fishing village and those around the castle's pier were filmed. Lastly, the scenes of the carriage race were captured along the rugged coast of Rena Di Matteu. The set for the adventures of this new Disney contemporary heroine was, therefore, the Asinara National Park, Golfo Aranci, and the protected marine area of Tavolara, with its rich and precious underwater world.
The producer and director Rob Marshall, along with the production designer John Myhre, stated on social media that they were looking not only for pristine beaches but also for rocky landscapes that would add some dramatic effect to the scenes. After discarding the Caribbean due to adverse weather forecasts, the crew searched for the most suitable locations on other coasts and islands of the Mediterranean before discovering a real castle on the rocks in Castelsardo. However, I imagine that the enchanting and well-organized hospitality facilities and the excellent Sardinian cuisine also played a role in choosing the region for the film's shooting.
But perhaps the invisible thread of destiny linked the film to these places, where both the toponymy and a famous statue already honored the mythological figure of the Little Mermaid. In fact, in Aglientu, there is Piazza Serenella, and from the waters of Golfo Aranci, a famous bronze Mermaid emerges, predating Ariel's arrival.
