Armored vehicles with gun-toting passengers battling their enemies, machine guns being fired, a plethora of controlled explosions and wild chases going on in zones around the town of Drama. Men and women in bullet-proof vests shoot as police cars and small trucks are being destroyed in the crossfire. It’s all in a day’s work on the set of a big budget movie production.

Scenery was set up for the Hollywood movie “Tin Soldier” in multiple locations around the region, such as the Cave of the Aggiti, the Thisavros Dam, and the Tobacco Institute. Recently, a whole cinematic world is being dismantled as staff of the American film started wrapping up their work in Drama.

“We didn’t expect what happened. A Hollywood super-production came as a ‘gift from heaven,’ to be filmed in our region with dramatic car chases and exciting action scenes. The shoot resulted in Drama’s hotels being at their fullest capacity,” commented the President of Hoteliers of Drama, Angelos Kallias, speaking to AMNA’S radio station, 104.9 FM, after being asked about the impact of the film’s production in the region.

The entire cast of “Tin Soldier” took part in this final round of shooting, except for Robert De Niro, who left the country after the first round in Thessaloniki. “Cast members are leaving over the next few days from the city, so we’re talking about 30 to 32 days of work with occupancy rates that exceed 80% to 90%,” Kallias noted, explaining that in addition to the actors, the available accommodation facilities were also housing set technicians, stuntmen, supporting actors (extras), as well as executives of all kinds.

Oscar-winning Actor and ‘Tin Soldier’ lead Jamie Foxx – who has by now finished his work and left Greece – moved around the city for several days instead of restricting himself to his hotel room. “The actors circulated around Drama. Both Jamie Fox and Scott Eastwood toured the town, ate, posed for pictures and selfies whenever asked, and made use of numerous local services. About 300 to 400 people in total participated in the production, daily eating at restaurants, drinking coffee in our area and always showing they were fully satisfied, which is very important for our town,” explained Kallias.

Asked about some special moments, he said that a few days ago, in a hospitality area, a group of cast members asked to taste Greek roast goat, which they enjoyed. “It was during the second week of shooting when it happened and the hotelier didn’t disappoint them. He prepared meat on spits, goats and various other dishes and the guests were thrilled,” Kallias said.

“The catering on the sets drove them crazy, but when the shooting was over, they chose to eat both in the hotels and somewhere outside. They were very pleased with the local cuisine, Drama’s traditional dishes,” Kallias added.

He also mentioned that the wider region of Eastern Macedonia became a “getaway” destination for escapes during days of rest. “Some people also wanted to go for a swim, so they went to the sea. They went to the beaches at Kavala, Thassos and Asprovalta on day-trips, explored these areas and had a very nice time, as they said.”

The filming of “Tin Soldier” is now continuing in Thessaloniki until mid-July.

AMNA – The interview was conducted by Sotiris Kyriakidis and Anastasia Karypidou