Places and films… Cities, villages, natural sites or even simple monuments, some are now known throughout the world thanks to or because of these films or sequences that were filmed there, sometimes a long time ago for some. Who has indeed forgotten the Trevi Fountain, in Rome, for the most famous scene in Fellini’s film? The Dolce Vita yet released in 1960?
So today we’re taking you to Tunisia where, few people know, scenes from one of the greatest sagas in the history of science fiction were produced. Head to Matmata and the Deep South to talk about Star Wars…
Two words about Star Wars
For those who don’t know – if there are any left – Star Wars remains a legend of science fiction cinema, or even of cinema in general.
Directed by the American Georges Lucas, this saga released almost fifty years ago now for the first “episodes” has won over millions of fans around the world since its beginnings. Normal perhaps since this is, much more than a simple series of films, a universe rich in stories and references, in emblematic characters and in epic battles between the GOOD (Luke Skywalker) a laugh mal (Darth Vader) which takes place in a distant galaxy in a somewhat undetermined time. All this with, for the very first productions, revolutionary special effects for the time. A masterpiece by general opinion…
> Infos : Star Wars
What does this have to do with Matmata?
Matmata is a small Tunisian Berber village in the Deep South famous for its troglodyte dwellings as can still be seen in its oldest part.
Dug into the rock centuries ago around vast wells serving as central courtyards, these one-story dwellings functioned through a system of cavities serving as bedrooms, kitchens, sheepfolds and stables for animals as well as, for the upper level, places for storing cereals, dates and other products harvested in the region. All this in order to protect yourself from the scorching heat which can reign in this part of Tunisia. In short, a strange and unique place in itself… which the Star Wars teams took advantage of.
This is how Matmata and its surroundings were chosen for this arid and desert setting to represent the planet Tatooine where Luke Skywalker came from. More specifically, it is the Sidi Driss hotel, located in a former troglodyte dwelling, which will serve as the main setting to represent the Skywalker family home as seen in many emblematic scenes of the film.
And even if this is just one element among many that contributed to the Saga, Matmata and its inhabitants always remain proud to have participated in their own way in one of the greatest cinematographic stories that has ever been made . Besides, if you also go to Matmata, you will surely meet some of these fans from all over the world who have come there to immerse themselves once again in the Star Wars universe…
> Infos : www.discovertunisia.com
