Valdarno in the movies

Among the most famous films shot in Tuscany, we cannot fail to mention La Vita è Bella (Life is Beautiful) by Roberto Benigni (1997), an Oscar-winning film and symbol of Italian cinema around the world.

Some of the film’s most iconic scenes were shot between Arezzo and the Valdarno. While Piazza Grande in Arezzo serves as the backdrop for much of the film, the famous scene with the green-painted horse was actually filmed in the splendid Villa Masini, also known as “Casa del Nonno”.

Located in Montevarchi, the villa is one of the most fascinating examples of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture in the area. Its construction involved local artists, sculptors, artisans and crafters, transforming it into a true symbol of the region’s elegance and creativity.

During filming, the limonaia (lemon house), the garden and one of the rooms of the villa were used, while most of the interiors were later recreated in a studio.

When it comes to Tuscany and cinema, it’s impossible not to think of Il Ciclone (The Cyclone), Leonardo Pieraccioni’s cult 1996 film that has captivated entire generations.

The famous Casale della Giuncaia, one of the film’s most recognizable locations, is in the area of Laterina Pergine Valdarno.

More than just a movie set, “Il Ciclone” has become a cultural phenomenon able to capture the authentic spirit of the Tuscan countryside, with farmhouses nestled in the rural area, country roads and simple atmospheres that are still part of the Italian collective imagination today.

Alessandro Benvenuti’s Ivo il Tardivo (Ivo the Genius) from 1995 also found the ideal setting for its story in the Valdarno. With poetry and gentle humor, the film explores the themes of marginalization, loneliness and acceptance of diversity.

Filming took place in the Cavriglia area and the village of Castelnuovo dei Sabbioni, places that still retain a strong sense of authenticity and cinematic charm.