Two groups dressed as Moors and Christians take to the streets, filming begins a few days before the historic festival
Two crowds, clad in the traditional Moorish and Christian costumes, lined the streets and stepped into the public eye this Monday. They acted out scenes for a thriller inspired by a novel by a renowned elderly writer, unfolding as part of a larger production in the works well ahead of the official celebrations.
In a bid to capture authentic energy, the team moved through Ortega y Gasset, Jardines, and Nueva streets. Traffic was halted from 08:00 in the morning and was set to resume at 23:00 to accommodate on-site video recording, as parades, band performances, and ceremonial drills added a buzzing backdrop reminiscent of June 1st through June 5th.
In Elda, a television series draws inspiration from a Moorish and Christian-era crime
The project, produced for a major streaming platform, is based on the thriller Long Shadows, a novel by a local writer known for weaving intricate plots around a city’s past. The storyline follows a circle of friends who gather to probe the mysterious death of one of their own at a well-known urban residence in the San Francisco de Sales neighborhood.
The filming team, led by a director known for recent award-winning work, prepared to shoot scenes around the historic center. The cast includes notable actors and a crew dedicated to delivering a vivid, atmospheric portrayal of the era, with production values that aim to transport viewers into the heart of the city’s celebrated festival.
The production schedule originally called for filming on Thursday, May 25, but weather delays pushed work to Monday, May 29. Forecasts of heavy rain across the Vinalopó and l’Alcoià regions prompted a cautious approach, with rain expected to be significant enough to require adjustments to the shooting plan.
Lead writers and the director were on site to oversee scenes, with several cast members joining in. Among the actors anticipated to appear were well-known performers who have graced contemporary cinema, alongside others who bring a strong theatrical presence to the project.
The project emphasizes collaboration with the city’s cultural history, blending documentary clarity with dramatic storytelling to reflect the Moorish and Christian traditions that define the festival.
Filming delays and the priorities behind the Elda project
The eight-episode series has already begun shooting partly in a Madrid studio and in the Elda-Petrer region, including a police station set and a festive barracks designed with the festival’s decorative ambiance. Rainy weather prompted a temporary pause, but preparations continued as crews adjusted to the changing conditions to preserve the production timeline.
Despite the hiccups, the production remains focused on delivering a credible depiction of the Moors and Christians tradition, ensuring that the city’s character and the festival’s energy resonate with audiences. The filming team carefully balanced on-location shoots with controlled interiors to maintain continuity across scenes.
Talking about Elda means talking about Moors and Christians
Six months in advance, the production secured a provisional arrangement to borrow a collection of costumes representing the Moorish and Christian styles for the ensemble cast of extras. A local board provided oversight, while a dedicated team managed wardrobe, makeup, and crowd coordination. The effort enlisted hundreds of volunteers and a robust support network to ensure the extras blended seamlessly into the period settings.
As the project moved forward, preparations intensified to bring realism to the parade sequences. The team worked to create an authentic mood that would translate powerfully on screen, honoring the festival’s heritage while leveraging modern production techniques to meet streaming standards.
Elda counts down to the Moors and Christians festivities
Even as filming took place, technicians and coordinators kept the visuals aligned with the festival’s spirit. From June 1 to June 5, the team planned to capture source images and establish a reliable visual record that would anchor the series in the city’s historical ambiance. All of this work contributes to a portrayal of Elda’s Moors and Christians that feels true to life, while also serving the thriller’s dramatic momentum and the detective narrative inspired by Elia Barceló’s writing.