Ustica, between sky and sea, brooms and hibiscus, diving enthusiasts and colorful cats, has recently become the ideal island for cinematic underwater filming thanks to Martin Scorsese. The famous American director of Sicilian origin arrived on the island to shoot part of a docufilm about ancient shipwrecks. The project is based on the work of underwater archaeologist Lisa Briggs and is co-produced by the Cultural Heritage department of the Sicilian Region, Sikelia Productions, Sunk Costs Productions, Chad A. Verdi, and LBI Entertainment.
Scorsese stayed in a refined eco-friendly villa in Ustica, designed by architects Aldo and Laura Li Bianchi, and enjoyed the services of expert Sicilian chef Matteo Cannizzaro. The chef not only cooked excellent dishes but also entertained the director by singing Alicia Keys songs with him. Scorsese dined in some island restaurants, enjoyed gelato, went shopping with his daughter and two dogs, and overall seemed pleased with the operation.
The filming took place in various locations, including the Channel of Sicily, the archaeological park of Selinunte, the site of Marsala-Lilibeo, the Cave di Cusa, Pantelleria, Marausa, the museum of the Dancing Satyr in Mazara del Vallo, the Agostino Pepoli regional museum in Trapani, and the Salinas regional archaeological museum in Palermo, among others.
The project received enthusiastic support from the Sicilian Region due to its significance and the positive image it would bring to Sicily and its cultural heritage. Other locations for filming are still being identified.
Martin Scorsese a Ustica per il suo docufilm sui naufragi dell’antichità
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