In the heart of a historic center, preparations unfold for a cinematic gathering as a party scene gears up to celebrate a movie night. The downtown streets will brim with energy as a village of revelers dons a mix of costumes, bringing to life a prelude to the Moors and Christians festivities. The plan is simple yet vivid: a public spectacle that invites locals and visitors to witness a city in motion a week ahead of the traditional pageantry.
Actress Elena Anaya will play a part in this production. The project draws attention as a Disney+ series adaptation of Long Shadows, a thriller by a noted Elda author. The show follows a circle of friends who converge to unravel the mystery surrounding a death that haunts an urban home in the San Francisco de Sales neighborhood.
The director is Clara Roquet, who earned recognition as Best New Director at the Goyas in 2021. Among the principal performers are Irene Escolar, Marta Etura, Elena Anaya, and Belén Cuesta, who will take the stage in Elda next Thursday as the narrative unfolds across several locations.
Elda begins countdown to the Moors and Christians festivities
The eight-episode series has begun filming in a Madrid-based studio and in a drama shared with the Elda-Petrer National Police Headquarters. The set features the festive barracks and the decorative elements characteristic of the beloved celebration that marks the city’s cultural heritage.
Actress Belén Cuesta is among the cast members, with other notable appearances in the lineup. Earlier arrangements involved the local community backing a significant portion of the production. The production team secured support from the community council and coordinated with the central board, arranging for a large number of extras drawn from various Moorish and Christian associations. Approximately 200 volunteers will participate, with shooting scheduled for next Thursday from early morning into the late afternoon.
“To talk about Elda is to talk about Moors and Christians”
Behind the scenes, the crew plans to capture authentic moments for the series. Technicians will be on site to manage lighting, sound, and other essentials from June 1 to 5, ensuring the imagery reflects Elda’s distinctive spirit. The goal remains clear: recreate the essence of Moors and Christians with credibility as the thriller and detective narrative unfolds. The city’s texture and the festival’s tradition will be the backdrop for this cinematic exploration.
Even with a grand scale and deep cultural resonance, the project maintains a grounded presence. The historical gravity of the Moors and Christians is being translated to the screen, not merely as spectacle but as a sincere homage to the communities that bring the events to life. In this collaboration, the filmmakers celebrate the continuity between past and present, weaving the narrative into the city’s everyday rhythm.