Finally Dawn Filming Locations: Rome’s Cinematic Secrets

Finally Dawn (Italian: Finalmente l’alba) is a 2023 Italian period drama directed and written by Saverio Costanzo. Set in the glamorous backdrop of 1950s Rome, this movie brings together a strong cast, including Lily James, Willem Dafoe, Joe Keery, Rebecca Antonaci, and Rachel Sennott. The story takes place during the famous “Hollywood on the Tiber” era — a time when Rome became the center of global film production.

In this film, a quiet Roman girl named Mimosa gets the chance to be an extra in a movie shooting at Cinecittà Studios. What starts as a small opportunity quickly turns into a personal transformation. She spends an unforgettable night within the dazzling world of cinema, meeting Hollywood stars, exploring behind the scenes, and experiencing fame and chaos all in one go. By the time morning arrives, Mimosa is no longer the same — she has discovered her identity and strength.

The movie does a great job of showcasing the excitement of filmmaking in Italy during the 1950s. It recreates the charm of classic movie sets, detailed costumes, and a sense of wonder that defined that era. The backdrop, while fictional, is heavily inspired by real places and historic events, especially the legendary Cinecittà Studios.

Let’s take a closer look at the real filming locations that brought Finally Dawn to life.

Where Was Finally Dawn Filmed?

The real Italian settings are what make Finally Dawn so special. Below, we list the most important filming locations that made this movie great, along with some fun facts about other well-known films that were filmed there.

1. Cinecittà Studios – Rome, Italy

Most of the filming took place at Cinecittà Studios in Rome. Cinecittà is the heart of Italian cinema and has been the setting for many famous films. It was the best choice to show how flashy and chaotic the movie business was in the 1950s.

For Finally Dawn, custom sets were built on-site, including detailed backdrops that recreated the look of a 1950s Hollywood epic set in ancient Egypt — a “film within the film” that plays a major role in Mimosa’s journey.

Director Saverio Costanzo described Cinecittà as a place filled with cinematic soul, saying:

“There’s something unique about shooting here — you breathe in decades of movie history. For this film, I wanted to bring back that golden atmosphere, and Cinecittà was the only place that could deliver it authentically.”

Trivia:
Cinecittà Studios has hosted iconic films like Ben-Hur (1959), La Dolce Vita (1960), The Passion of the Christ (2004), and Gangs of New York (2002).

2. Villa dei Quintili – Rome, Italy

Villa dei Quintili, an old Roman villa on the Appian Way, was used to film some scenes. The film was able to mix studio shots with real Roman scenery thanks to its timeless architecture and open landscape.

Trivia: Villa dei Quintili has been in historical dramas and documentaries like Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire and Medici: Masters of Florence.

3. Rome, Italy’s Piazza di Spagna and Spanish Steps

Finally Dawn opens and closes with scenes set on the famous Spanish Steps in Rome. These 135 steps, which go from Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti church, make Mimosa’s journey more elegant in a Roman way. The location’s timeless beauty shows how she has grown as a person, connecting the story to Rome’s cultural heart. Filming here showed off the city’s romantic and cinematic charm, which was popular with Hollywood stars in the 1950s.

Trivia: The Spanish Steps have been in famous films like Roman Holiday (1953) and The Talented Mr Ripley (1999).

4. Capocotta Beach in Rome, Italy

Capocotta Beach, which is close to Rome, is not confirmed as a filming location, but it is important to the story. The story is based on the real-life murder of Wilma Montesi in 1953, whose body was found on this beach. This adds an interesting historical element. The movie has newsreels about the event, which makes its made-up story seem more real. Even though it wasn’t a real filming location, this nod to Capocotta makes the story’s darker themes even stronger.

Trivia:
Capocotta Beach has been featured in the Italian movie La Dolce Vita and the documentary series Crimes That Changed Italy.

Production Timeline

Here’s a breakdown of the production period for Finally Dawn:

Finally Dawn Behind The Scenes

The making of Finally Dawn was as detailed and thoughtful as the story itself. Saverio Costanzo directed the movie, which was based on Italy’s golden age of cinema and tried to recreate it as faithfully as possible. Most of the filming took place at Cinecittà Studios, which served as both a real filming location and the fictional one shown in the movie.

Costanzo says that the goal wasn’t just to make a movie but to bring back a time when films were made. He said,

“We weren’t just making sets; we were making a world that used to exist and that people still feel connected to.”

The production team built custom sets, used expensive costumes and found vintage props that fit the look of the 1950s to make this world come to life. The actors also got really into the mood. Rebecca Antonaci, who plays Mimosa, talked about how special the experience was:

“Every part of Cinecittà felt alive. It didn’t feel like acting; it felt like getting into a time machine.”

The movie’s tone, lighting, and pacing were all carefully planned to make it feel like an old Italian movie that was dreamy and surreal. The filmmakers chose every camera angle to show how different Mimosa’s simple life was from the overwhelming glamour of Hollywood’s impact on Rome.

Even though it’s a period drama, the story is about modern issues like finding yourself, identity, and empowering women. The cast and crew worked together behind the scenes to make sure these things were clear without losing the charm of the past.

Finally Dawn Official Trailer

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