Beauty Queen of Jerusalem is an Israeli historical drama Tv series created by Shlomo Mashiach, Ester Namdar Tamam, and Oded Davidoff, based on Sarit Yishai Levy’s novel of the same name. Set in 1919, it follows Rosa, a beautiful cleaner who marries Gabriel, a businessman who is in love with another woman.
The couple has three daughters, and their eldest, Luna, has a complicated relationship with her mother, as Gabriel does not feel for his wife. Over several decades and generations, the family dynamic continues to evolve as they witness various events in history.
The series has been well received by audiences and critics for its layered narrative that explores several social themes, as well as compelling performances by actors such as Hila Saada, Swell Ariel Or, Michael Aloni, and Eli Steen. But what takes the cake is the brilliant use of locations, depicting the interconnected lives of the Armoza family against the backdrop of historical milestones. Wondering where exactly “Beauty Queen of Jerusalem” was filmed?
Where Was The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem Series Filmed?
“Beauty Queen of Jerusalem” was filmed entirely in Israel, specifically in Safed and the Jerusalem area. While the series was originally planned to be filmed in Ukraine, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the creators to stick to Israel. Filming for the series ostensibly began in September 2020 and was completed after 80 days in late December of that year.
Filming locations were carefully chosen to lend authenticity to the Netflix show’s narrative, and the actors enjoyed getting into period adaptations of their characters.
Israel
The “Beauty Queen of Jerusalem” was mostly seen in Safed, a walled city in the northern part of Israel. By elevation, it is the highest city in the Galilee area and the country and is known as Tzfat in Hebrew. The film crew traveled across Safed to record key scenes at several landmarks such as the Frenkel Frenel Museum and the Beit Castel Art Gallery at 16 Tet Zayin Street.
In addition, the production team made appropriate use of veterans, costumes, and graffiti to recreate the era, in which the show is set in, along with a clothing store full of vintage clothing.
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The city is a major center of Jewish religious studies with a rich history dating back to the 15th century BC. In addition, Safed is a popular tourist destination due to its pleasant climate and picturesque mountain views, making it the perfect location for the filming of this Netflix show.
Some key parts of ‘The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem’ were recorded right in Jerusalem, where the story originally takes place. One of the oldest cities in the world lies on a plateau in the Judean Mountains on the border between Israel and the West Bank.
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Founded around 3000 BC, Jerusalem has seen several conquerors destroy and rebuild the city. Although its geographic location is a major area of international political contention, it is also the primary holy destination for Christians, Jews, and Muslims worldwide.
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Jerusalem boasts many historical and cultural attractions such as the Temple of the Holy Sepulcher, the Dome of the Rock, Yad Vashem, the Western Wall, and the Israel Museum. In addition, many international productions have used the city’s charming locations, some notable ones include “Schindler’s List” and “Brüno”.