A string of islands, a land of movie stars
If American cinema was certainly born in the New York studios, Florida is not to be outdone and for a long time was the third most powerful territory in terms of production. It was even considered by the first filmmakers as a land of choice, before they turned to California, with its more stable weather conditions. However, cinema never deserted the state and its main city, Miami, where Alan Crosland (director of The Jazz Singer) made his debut. As early as 1906, Kelly's Theatre - the region's first movie theater - welcomed a loyal audience, and many small studios continued to shoot in the area, beginning what would be the production of the second half of the twentieth century. Released in 1941, the musical " Rendezvous in Miami" will allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the time, between the luxury and the splendor of the big hotels.
After the conflict, it was Alfred Hitchcock who put Miami on the screen in The Chained (1946), with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. Two years later, it was John Huston's turn to take the great Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in the city and its hotel landscape, with Key Largo (1948). A crime drama with film noir overtones, one of the classics of this important genre of the period. For the record, it is after this film that Key Largo, formerly called Rock Harbor, is named. This since 1952, in a clever territorial marketing maneuver, to attract Bogart's fans. Less memorable, The Adventures of Captain Wyatt will take you to the Everglades for an epic confrontation between hostile nature and brave soldiers, in a film that has certainly aged but is still worth watching.
It was in the 1960s that the number of films shot soared, with the notable arrival of the James Bond franchise. In Goldfinger (1964), several scenes - including the mythical card game - take place at the Fontainebleau Hotel, still in operation today. If you were hoping to stay in the same room as Sean Connery, you should know that he never set foot in Miami for this shoot, the interior scenes having been shot in a studio. The following year, Operation Thunder also stops in Miami to capture a scene of parachute jumping, before heading to the Bahamas for the rest of the shooting. Finally, James Bond will return to Florida as Timothy Dalton in Licence to Kill (1989). For this opus, the Seven Mile Bridge will be well highlighted during the chase with the van carrying the evil drug trafficker Franz Sanchez, before it disappears into the sea. On the island side, the production will also take advantage of many iconic places in Key West such as the Ernest Hemingway Home, the airport, Mallory Square or the Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea.
Because of their history, Florida and Miami have also appeared on screen in the now cult gangster films Godfather II by Francis Ford Coppola (1974) and Scarface by Brian De Palma (1983). If the first one only stops in Miami during the meeting between Michael Corleone and Hyman Roth, the second one takes place entirely in Miami. Unfortunately, you won't be able to visit the sets of this film in Florida either, because - due to a film office that is too cautious about the subject - it will be filmed mainly in California. But you can test your seduction techniques like Manny and Tony around the pool of the Fontainebleau, which is definitely the city's top movie location.
It is however at the Cardozo Hotel and at the Edison Hotel that one of the cult scenes of Mary at any price (1997) with Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller was filmed. A romantic comedy where you can also find the Miami-Dade Cultural center, as well as the River Walk Trail in this movie perfect to relax during a break between two visits. Since the early 2000s, Miami and Southern California have hosted big productions like the second installment of the Fast & Furious saga (2003), The Transporter 2 (2005), Iron Man 3 (2013). In 2016, it is the film Moonlight by Miami-American Barry Jenkins that is making a mark, with its unique portrayal of young Chiron, from his youth to his adulthood. Filmed mostly in the Liberty City neighborhood, Moonlight won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2017, and was acclaimed by the international press. To be discovered, to better understand the tribulations and issues of the inhabitants of these disadvantaged neighborhoods, far from the idyllic postcards.
Miami in series
If the first television series filmed in Florida do not date from yesterday, like Flipper the dolphin (1964-1967), it is in the 80s that the city earns its stripes on the small screens with Miami Vice (1984-1990). Filmed mainly around South Beach, this police series denotes the codes of the genre by infusing a New Wave atmosphere in its settings and its plots, with a very pop side that will not escape the curious. And if you don't have the courage to tackle the five seasons of the series, take a look at the eponymous movie, with Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx, released in 2005.
Recently, the series Dexter (2006-2013) and Bloodline (2015-2017) have put Florida back on the map of soap operas to binge-watch, and many tour operators will be able to take you to discover the filming locations, between Miami and the Keys.
Enjoying movies in Florida
Several major film festivals in Miami, Palm Beach or Jacksonville welcome tens of thousands of moviegoers every year. If you have a bad time, don't worry. A dozen cinemas with more than a hundred screens are at your disposal in Miami, from the large AMC Tamiami complex to the small Tower Theater, which has a stormy and exciting history. Finally, any movie lover won't be able to resist going north to Orlando to visit Universal Studios Park, and relive cult movies like Jaws or Jurassic Park. Enjoy it, you are in the land of movies.
