Big Fat Locations: Where Was The Third Big Fat Greek Wedding Filmed?

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 was filmed entirely in Greece, including in Athens and on the island of Corfu. The film follows the Portokalos family on a trip to Greece and is the first in the franchise to be filmed in the country.

Athens airport was transformed into Chicago's O'Hare airport

Vardalos describes how Armstrong would "squint his eyes and turn his head sideways" to envision how the Athens airport could be made to look like O'Hare. This involved clever set design and attention to detail, such as painting sections of walls or putting up pieces of wood or sails to create the desired effect.

The transformation of the Athens airport was a significant achievement for the film crew, as it allowed them to film scenes set in Chicago without having to leave Greece. This was part of Vardalos' vision to capture the magical realism of Greece and showcase the country in a way that hadn't been done before.

In addition to the airport transformation, the film crew also scouted and transformed various locations in Athens and other parts of Greece to create the world of the Portokalos family. They found a house in a wealthy suburb of Athens to serve as the interior of the family's home and filmed in the historic neighbourhood of Plaka, known for its neoclassical architecture.

The historic neighbourhood of Plaka, Athens, was used for filming

The historic neighbourhood of Plaka in Athens was used for filming several scenes in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. Plaka is known for its neoclassical architecture, narrow streets, and quaint village feel. It is the main shopping area in Athens, featuring various shops and products, such as textiles, leather goods, and soaps made from olive oil and donkey milk.

The film crew utilised the unique characteristics of Plaka to capture specific scenes and visuals. The neighbourhood's neoclassical architecture, for example, aligned with the film's theme of immigration and the beauty of the places migrants leave behind. The director, Nia Vardalos, sought to showcase neoclassical architecture to convey the message that immigrants often leave their homes due to a lack of choice, influenced by factors like wars, famine, and loss of choices.

The production team also had to navigate filming in a busy tourist area like Plaka. They informed tourists that entering the filming area would mean being part of the movie scene, and they had to be prepared to repeat their walk-throughs multiple times. The production team also enlisted the help of the police to lock off the streets and ensure safety during filming.

The filming in Plaka started early in the morning, at 6 a.m., to capture the historic shopping area in its quietest state. This timing also aligned with the crew's desire to showcase the neighbourhood's unique architecture and vibrant atmosphere.

The use of Plaka as a filming location contributed to the authenticity and visual appeal of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, allowing the crew to capture the magic and realism of Greece that Vardalos had envisioned.

The cast travelled to the island of Corfu

The cast of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 travelled to the island of Corfu, Greece, to film several scenes for the movie. Corfu was chosen for its neoclassical architecture, narrow streets, and quaint village feel. The island also offered stunning views of the surrounding Ionian Sea and crystal blue beaches.

The cast filmed in the village of Varipatades, which is nestled atop the hills of Corfu. This location provided the perfect backdrop for the movie with its narrow alleyways and neoclassical architecture. The crew also took advantage of the local castles, which can be seen in the movie.

In addition to the beautiful villages and castles, the cast also filmed in an ancient olive grove on the island. The Governor's Olive Mill, a family-run olive oil business, offered the perfect setting for scenes featuring Toula's brother, Nick, who is determined to find the oldest olive tree in his father's village.

The cast and crew spent almost a month filming in Corfu, capturing the beauty and charm of the island to create a fun and heartfelt chapter in the beloved comedy franchise.

A night wedding scene was filmed in Santorini

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 was filmed entirely in Greece, with the cast and crew travelling to both the mainland and the island of Corfu. The film follows the Portokalos family as they journey to Greece, where Toula attempts to locate her late father Gus's childhood friends.

The film's location manager Giannis Nikoletos explained that the keyword for the location scouting of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 was "Neoclassical". This term represented the director and production designer's dream for the paternal village and the house of the Portokalos family, which they would discover upon their first visit to Greece.

The crew wanted to find a village that had seen wealth and prosperity in the past but had lost some of its status and shine due to Greek emigration to the US. They scouted various areas across Greece, including Mount Pelion in the north and the Peloponnese in the south, as well as areas near Athens. However, it was when they scouted the Ionian Island region, specifically Corfu, that they found the perfect location.

Most of the exterior scenes were filmed in the Danilia Village in the area of Kira Chrisikou, located 10km from the city of Corfu. The village was created in the late 1970s by a Corfiot businessman to promote the traditions and culture of Corfu. It represented a typical Corfiot village of the 1930s, with shops showcasing local crafts such as wine, olives, and olive oil production.

Coastline shots were filmed in Crete, Paros and Hydra

The coastline shots of Crete, Paros and Hydra in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' showcase the stunning natural beauty of these Greek islands. The film's writer, director, executive producer and star Nia Vardalos sought to capture the "magical realism" of Greece, and these coastline shots were an important element of this vision.

Vardalos wanted to avoid visual cliches, such as white buildings against a blue sky, and instead wanted to create a nostalgic yet fresh and vibrant aesthetic. To achieve this, Vardalos, cinematographer Barry Peterson and production designer Grant Armstrong frequently reviewed colour boards and debated costumes against specific palettes.

The coastline shots of Crete, Paros and Hydra are particularly memorable due to the unique character of each island. Crete, the largest island in Greece, boasts a diverse landscape of rugged mountains, pristine beaches and picturesque coastal towns. Paros, known for its charming villages and vibrant nightlife, also features stunning beaches with crystal-clear waters. Hydra, a small and secluded island, offers a tranquil escape with its rocky coves and traditional architecture.

The inclusion of these three islands in the film highlights the rich diversity of Greece's landscapes and reinforces the theme of exploring one's roots, as the characters of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' embark on a journey to reconnect with their family's homeland.

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