On the side of the boat we read “Zalonius II”. In reality the 47.9 meter motor superyacht, chartered by Medusa to build off the coast of Ostia some shots of ‘Good Way by Checco Zalone, blockbuster film in these festive days, it’s called R23.
Even a pinch of Rome and Ostia in the blockbuster film ‘Buen Camino’ by Checco Zalone
The vessel belongs to the long list of luxury vessels rented by VerdeBlu, a successful luxury marina broker, founded 30 years ago in Rome and Marzia Nostini.
Filming in Ostia
In the middle of last July R23 has taken on its new cinematic guise and is arrived at the Tourist Port of Rome where, with the crew following Zalone and the cast involved in filming, it was moored for a couple of days.
Taking care of the relationships between the crew, made up of eleven people under the orders of the commander on duty and the filmmakers, it was Andrea Zelli of VerdeBlu for guaranteed extra fun, made bubbly by the friendliness and availability of the Apulian actor and comedian born in Bari 48 years ago.
There was no shortage of cameras, reflectors, tripods and steadicams surprises.
“Filming off the coast of Ostia lasted three days –says Marzia Nostini- but there was also an unscheduled event because in those days the sea was unusually very rough and, to make up for the downtime, the ship had to set sail again at dawn on the last day to complete the work”.
Between Jacuzzi and luxury cabins
Then R23, launched by Amtec shipyards, with the original name of ‘Out’ in 2002 and renovated in 2019, has returned to its original function. That is to say, going back and forth between the various ports of the Mediterranean, like all rental boats destined for a high-level market with prices starting from 30 thousand euros and up and reaching 194 thousand per week in the case of R23, aka Zalonius II.
All that remains is to imagine the scenes lasting about two minutes, included in the film and taken on the Lido of Rome on board this boat equipped with six luxurious cabins with private bathrooms, Jacuzzi hydromassage tubs, outdoor swimming pool and stabilisers.zero speed‘ latest generation which guarantee hull stability which is particularly appreciated also by the production of ‘Buen Camino’, because it is able to limit the rolling of the hull even when it is at anchor in some bay.
Owners reluctant to rent boats to the world of cinema
“Contrary to what one might think, film productions find owners willing to rent their jewels -underlines Marzia Nostini- it’s not easy. Both for the presence of dedicated machinery and for the constant coming and going on board by the personnel who work and assist the actors on stage. Of course, we were very pleased to have been able to contribute, even if in a small way, to a film that is gaining great recognition from the public.”.
The Lido of Rome against the backdrop of the Costa Smeralda
Images in which Ostia was transfigured because, he explains Franco Annunziata which holds an operational role in the tourist port of Rome where R23 docked during the making of the film, “in reality the shots ideally place the yacht a short distance from the coast of Sardinia and give a good idea of a typical phenomenon for those who have very large pockets and, in the summer period, move from one pleasure port to another”.
“Our marina a few steps from the capital -adds Annunziata– it is a destination used not only by the world of celluloid, but also by famous jet set and entertainment personalities who mostly wish to keep their privacy intact”.
The one he tried with difficulty, for example, to protect Veronica Ciccone, aka Madonna who, after celebrating her 66th birthday between Capri and a visit to the city of Pompeii, arrived on the afternoon of Wednesday 21st August, around 2.50 pm, right at the tourist port of Ostia.
The heart of the capital in the scenography
But returning to the locations that brought Checco Zalone luck and his ‘Buen Camino’ created among breathtaking landscapes, exclusive sea areas such as the Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo and further north in Santa Teresa di Gallura –Way of St. James aside- this wealthy protagonist dedicated to the wildest vices also strolls through the alleys and symbolic places that have contributed to making Rome famous in the rest of the world.
From Piazza Campitelli to Piazza delle Cinque Lunein the near Piazza Navonawithout forgetting the Lungotevere. An important stage in a story also made up of bridges that cross the Biondo river and the crowded streets of the great metropolis.
