Why Macau is becoming a prime film location for Hollywood actors and the world’s top directors
With growing popularity as a movie location for international filmmakers, Macau is on track to become the Hollywood of the Far East
What’s one thing that Indiana Jones, Johnny English and James Bond all have in common? They have all been to Macau – having ridden the old turbo cat, taken a taxi to the Grand Lisboa, or hung out in local clubs.
Macau has been a popular location for international filmmakers since the beginning of the 20th century. Once a mere movie backdrop, this gambling centre has in recent years strived to become the Hollywood of the Far East.
In the old days, Macau’s exotic glamour and the intrigue of its casinos and gangs were the greatest pulling factors. The city made its first appearance in Western cinema with the French film, Macau, L’Enfer du Jeu, which was later released in 1942 as Gambling Hell, after scenes with the banned leading actor were cut.
However, Macau shot to fame as a Hollywood moviemaking centre with the 1974 James Bond film, The Man with the Golden Gun.
One of Macau’s biggest draws has been its flexibility. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and In the Mood for Love (2000) used the city as a stand-in backdrop for stories that were set in Shanghai and Beijing.
As Macau has enjoyed a more substantial role in actual story lines, such as in Isabella (2006) and Unbeatable (2013), the city has also proved to be filmmaker-friendly.
