The film "Amanece en Samaná" by director Rafa Cortés, premiered on November 8, takes place on the paradisiacal Cayo Levantado, a small islet located in Samaná Bay, Dominican Republic. Starring Luis Tosar, Luis Zahera, Luisa Mayol, and Bárbara Santa-Cruz, this romantic and fantastical comedy takes place in the same hotel that housed the actors for two months, creating a unique living-together experience that Cortés compares to a 'Big Brother' in paradise. The film not only explores interpersonal relationships, but it also leverages the impressive Caribbean landscape to enrich the visual narrative, in a place that had already captured the attention of the audiovisual industry decades earlier, when it became the set for a famous Bacardi commercial.
Cayo Levantado, now renamed as the Cayo Levantado Resort, offers its guests a luxury retreat across its 14 hectares. The hotel combines modern facilities with Victorian-style architecture surrounded by lush vegetation and dotted with cenotes, providing top-tier wellness and gastronomic experiences. Additionally, access to a public beach allows daily interaction with locals and tourists, who enjoy the sun and the music of the place. The film also highlights the proximity of Los Haitises National Park, known for its impressive rock formations and natural wealth, which can be accessed after a short boat ride. This privileged setting strengthens the film's unique atmosphere, where the director and his team found inspiration not only in the script, but also in the indescribable charm of this corner of the Caribbean.
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