African Fixer

The Whole World in Mauritius

September 7, 2022

Mauritius is a favourite destination for tourists and filmmakers, not only because of its scenic beauty, but also because it is one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. The country comprises the two main islands of Mauritius and Rodriguez, as well as the outer islands of Cargados Carales Shoals and Agalega. The capital Port Louis is lively and busy and the main island resorts are filled with tourists all year round. Visitors who venture further out to the mountains of Le Morne or Le Ponce to explore hiking trails can enjoy the peace and tranquillity of these secluded spots, while Blue Bay is a paradise for divers.

Unique Filming Locations

● From Sandy white beaches to tropical forests and volcanic mountains, Mauritius has a range of stunning locations for any film or still production.

● The Casela Nature Park and Ganga Talao Crater Lake are the most popular locations and many Bollywood productions are set there.

● Sugarcane and tea plantations have also been used as film sets, as well as a disused textile factory that is run-down but makes for an interesting backdrop in feature films.

The most unique locations however are truly surreal:

● The 7-Coloured Earth Geopark in Chamarel is Mauritius’ most iconic attraction. It is a six hundred-million-year-old geological formation of sand dunes in 7 distinct colours and has a lunar-like feel. Visiting the geopark is the best way to discover the island’s fascinating natural heritage. Locals who guide visitors around the tortoise park have interesting stories to share about the now extinct Dodo bird
that was native to Mauritius.

● In Port Louis, the French colonial Government House dating back to 1740 and the nineteenth century and the Jummah Mosque are both UNESCO World Heritage Monuments. As these locations cannot be used for film sets, the Mauritius Film Development Corporation has built a Virtual Video Village to
support film production teams. It provides a secure, high resolution streaming platform so that filmmakers can work remotely with a local crew in a Virtual studio. This has the added advantage of reducing production costs.

● The Black River Gorge is the perfect location for panoramic shots of the mountains, tropical forest and waterfalls. A helicopter is available for aerial filming. The Mauritius Film Development Corporation offers a 30% rebate for features and documentaries filmed at this location and a 40% rebate for any television commercials filmed on the island.

A Kaleidoscope of Cultures

Mauritius is a multi-ethnic society that blends Asian, European and African cultures. French is spoken in all commercial areas, but English is also widely spoken. Approximately 90% of the population speak Mauritian Creole, also known as Morisyen, and it is considered the native language.

Although Mauritius has fairly large Christian and Muslim communities, it is predominantly a Hindu country. The Indian influence is felt in the country’s cuisine, art and music. However, a visit to Chinatown is recommended for lovers of Chinese food and is fascinating for visitors interested in learning about age-old Chinese traditions.

The Perfect Working Holiday

Mauritius has a small professional support team for television and still production campaigns, but there is no film studio and post-production services are non-existent. Large scale film productions rely heavily on South African companies to bring in equipment, provide talent scouting and manage post-production tasks. Many South African companies combine corporate campaigns with a holiday in Mauritius and hire a
villa on a private island for shoots. This package comes with a private yacht that ferries equipment and crew between Cape Town and the island. No matter what kind of production you are planning,
Mauritius offers a relaxing, luxury experience that combines work with all the pleasures of an island vacation. African Fixer is here to organise the whole Mauritian film experience for you!

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