Where is the Movie ‘Luca’ Based? (2024)

Buona sera, signorina! We hope you’ve got your pasta dinner ready for tonight’s screening ofLuca, Pixar‘s latest film that just released for free on Disney+. That’s right — it’s completely free, no pesky $29.99 Premier Access fee needed. As traveling restarts around the globe, you may find Luca inspiring you to book a whole trip to the magical Mediterranean world of gelato, fresh fish, andVespa rides. Wondering where in the world that may be? We’ve already hinted at the answer, but keep reading to find out where exactlyLucatakes place.

Lucafollows the ragtag adventures of two little fish boys, Luca (Jacob Tremblay) and Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer). It’s a real fish out of water situation as the pair journey up to the land, ready to embraceaLittle Mermaidlifestyle of learning how to walk, talk, and dress like human beings. But the fishermen in the town hate sea monsters, which spells trouble for, well, the two sea monsters. Luca and Alberto try to enjoy a summer of biking, swimming, and other human fun — but too much playing around will turn them into trophies on a wall.

WasLucabased in Napoli, “where love is king”? Or was it in Sicily, like Cinema Paradiso? Perhaps it takes place in a different spot of the Mediterranean entirely. We have all the answers you need. Here’s whereLucatakes place:

Where isLucabased?

You may have already figured this out, but Italy.Not only doesLucatake place in Italy, it’s really all about Italian culture. More specifically, Northern Italy, a spot that’s lesser represented in popular Italian films likeCinema ParadisoandEat, Pray, Love.

WasLucabased on a specific town? Is Portorosso a real town in Italy?

Lucais based in “Portorosso,” a town on the Italian Riviera. But Portorosso isn’t a real town, though the Italian Riviera is a real place. It could be based on the gorgeous Portofino, a little village on the Ligurian Sea in the province of Genoa. Or it could be based on the Cinque Terre, a string of five colorful towns in the Italian Riviera where tourists can hike amidst tree-lined views of the sea.

…Or actually, it could be (and is) a reference toPorco Rosso, a 1992 movie directed by Hayao Miyazaki for Studio Ghibli. That movie takes place in a similar time period, and features a World War I pilot who is magically transformed into a pig (shades of Luca and Alberto transforming back and forth from sea monsters to human). It also, in an unsurprising twist, takes place in a few places in Italy: Milan, the coast of the Adriatic Sea, as well as across the water in Croatia.

Like Luca,Porco Rosso is mostly set in fictionalized versions of Italy. That said, take a look at the real Portofino below, and you can probably see where the animators for both films drew some of their inspiration.

Where is the Movie ‘Luca’ Based? (3)

Do they speak Italian inLuca?

No! (That’s Italian for no.) You may hear some Italian words like “Silenzio, Bruno!” and more, but the leads are voiced by two young American actors. The director Enrico Casarosa, however, is Genoese, so Lucaisstill authentically Italian.

Is there a trailer forLuca?

Si! (And that’s Italian for yes.) Scroll up to get your first look atLuca.

StreamLucaon Disney+

Where is the Movie ‘Luca’ Based? (2024)

FAQs

Where is the Movie ‘Luca’ Based? ›

Luca draws inspiration from Casarosa's childhood in Genoa, Italy; several Pixar artists were sent to the Italian Riviera gathering research from Italian culture and environment to create Portorosso, the primary setting.

What village is Luca based on? ›

Cinque Terre, the Italian villages that inspired the movie "Luca"

Is Luca based on a real city? ›

Pixar's Luca is set in a fictional town, but it's inspired by director Enrico Casarosa's childhood on Italy's coast, as well as local folklore. Where does Luca take place? The Pixar movie is set in Portorosso, Italy, which is a fictional location, but it's based on real small towns in Italy.

What town is Portorosso based on? ›

Cinque Terre — meaning Five Lands — is an area comprising five villages on Italy's northwest coast whose culture and natural beauty has made it a popular spot for visitors and a key inspiration for Portorosso, the fictional town that serves as the setting for Pixar's latest film, Luca.

Is Luca Italian or Spanish? ›

Luca is a gender-neutral name of Italian origin meaning “bringer of light.” This fabulous meaning is rather fitting as a young child is so often your own shining light. In Italy, Luca is often given to boys with the feminine spelling being Lucca.

How old is Luca and Alberto? ›

Jack Dylan Grazer as Alberto Scorfano, a 14-year-old boy/sea monster and Luca's best friend who is enthusiastic to explore the human world. He is a free-spirited, expressive and gregarious boy who is "all about having fun".

What is the sea monster in Italy? ›

In Italian folklore, Lariosauro is a lake monster said to live in Lake Como in Italy, about 50 km (30 miles) north of Milan. Como is one of the deepest European lakes, at about 410 m (1,300 feet) at the deepest location.

Will there be a Luca 2 movie? ›

It is set one year after the events of the first film. It stars some of the original cast from the first film reprising their roles; including Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Emma Berman. It will be released on June 19, 2024.

Which country is Encanto set? ›

What is 'Encanto' about? "Encanto" is about a family living in a small mountain town in Colombia. But the Madrigal family is anything but ordinary. Nearly every child has their own magical gift — all but Mirabel.

Where does ratatouille take place? ›

When fate places Remy in the sewers of Paris, he finds himself ideally situated beneath a restaurant made famous by his culinary hero, Auguste Gusteau. Remy's passion for cooking soon sets into motion a hilarious and exciting rat race that turns the world of Paris upside down.

Where does Coco take place? ›

In the Mexican town of Santa Cecilia, a young woman named Imelda marries a man who eventually leaves her and her daughter Coco to pursue a music career. When he never returns, Imelda banishes music from her family forever and starts a shoemaking business.

What are the five Cinque Terre? ›

The five towns that make up the Cinque Terre - Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso - began life as medieval fortified settlements, each protected by a castle overlooking the sea guarding against Saracen raiders.

What language does Luca speak in the movie? ›

(That's Italian for no.) You may hear some Italian words like “Silenzio, Bruno!” and more, but the leads are voiced by two young American actors. The director Enrico Casarosa, however, is Genoese, so Luca is still authentically Italian.

What race is Alberto in Luca? ›

Alberto was rumored to be just a human until it was confirmed that he, like Luca, was a sea monster. A running gag features Alberto getting covered in water which reveals his true form, and he tries to hide to turn back to human.

How much was the Vespa in Luca? ›

In the scene where Luca and Alberto are asking Giulia if they could turn their prize money into a Vespa, the price tag of the beaten-up blue scooter is 9000 lire.

Why did Alberto's dad leave him? ›

His dad left after deciding that Alberto was old enough to take care of himself, and Alberto knows that he's probably never coming back. All of this explains why Alberto gravitated to Luca. He needed a place to belong because, although he tries to hide it, he knows that he is abandoned and alone.

Who is Alberto's dad Luca? ›

Alberto's Father is the unseen overarching antagonist of Pixar's 24th full-length animated feature film Luca. He is Alberto Scorfano's estranged father who abandoned him for unknown reasons, thus causing Alberto to be jealous and possessive of people out of fear of being alone again.

How old is Giulia in Luca? ›

While nothing really calls attention to it at any point in the movie, Giulia's parents are (presumably) divorced, especially since they live in separate cities (though her parents must also have joint custody of her). In a Twitter post Enrico Casarosa wrote, it confirms that Giulia is 13 years old.

Does the Kraken exist? ›

Although fictional and the subject of myth, the legend of the Kraken continues to the present day, with numerous references in film, literature, television, and other popular culture topics.

What are Italian fairies called? ›

The Fairies of Sicily

The fairies were called doñas de fuera, which was also a name for the women who associated with them. They were described as beauties dressed in white, red or black; they could be male or female, and their feet were the paws of cats, horses or of a peculiar "round" shape.

What is the largest sea monster in history? ›

The mythical kraken may be the largest sea monster ever imagined. Some stories described it as more than 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) around with arms as large as ship's masts.

Does Luca have autism? ›

Luca's sister believes that he has super powers. He can hear noises that are very hard to hear and he remembers all the name's of the streets that they pass. Near the end of the film Luca's sister explained that Luca had autism.

Who is the villain in Luca 2? ›

Character information

Ercole Visconti is the main antagonist of the 2021 Disney•Pixar animated feature film Luca.

What is the last thing Alberto says to Luca? ›

At the end of Luca, the title character leaves for Genoa with Giulia so he can attend school with her and he and Alberto embrace, with the latter telling him “Piacere, Girolamo Trombetta!”.

Is Encanto 2 confirmed? ›

Encanto 2 has yet to be officially confirmed by Disney, but recent developments at the House of Mouse might have given fans hope that we'll all be talking about Bruno again (if we even stopped). In February 2023, Disney confirmed sequels for Toy Story, Frozen and Zootopia.

What is Mirabel's dad allergic to? ›

Agustín is a kind and bubbly man who cares very much about Mirabel, Isabela, and Luisa; Mirabel describes him as "meaning well". He is very accident-prone, and his allergy to bees causes him to require Julieta's healing food on a regular basis.

What is Mirabel's gift? ›

Throughout Encanto, Mirabel has the nerve to figure out why the magical house is cracking, and she doesn't need supernatural gifts to accomplish her goal. Mirabel's gift is her intelligent determination, and she had that all along.

What year is Wall E set in? ›

Plot. The year is 2805 A.D. The Earth is a barren wasteland covered in what are literally mountains of trash, suffering from numerous sandstorms and torrential downpours.

What's Linguini's full name? ›

Linguini's full name is Alfredo Linguini. Alfredo is a pasta sauce often served over fettuccine, named after its inventor, Italian chef Alfredo di Lelio. Linguini is the plural form of Linguine, which is a form of long, narrow, flat pasta, similar to spaghetti.

What time frame is the Incredibles set in? ›

Set in a retro-futuristic version of the 1960s, the film follows Bob and Helen Parr, a couple of superheroes, known as Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, who hide their powers in accordance with a government mandate, and attempt to live a quiet suburban life with their three children.

Where does Moana take place? ›

Set in ancient Polynesia, the film tells the story of Moana, the strong-willed daughter of a chief of a coastal village, who is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti.

Where does turning red take place? ›

'Turning Red' follows 13-year-old Mei Lee in Toronto, Canada, when the unthinkable happens – she "poofs" into a red panda right as she's working through the chaos that is adolescence.

Where does Book of Life take place? ›

The Book of Life is the story of three children who live in the Mexican town of San Angel. Manolo (voiced by Diego Luna), Maria (Zoe Saldana) and Joaquin (Channing Tatum) are best friends and spend their days play fighting with each other.

Why is the Cinque Terre so famous? ›

In 1997, UNESCO recognized Cinque Terre as a World Heritage site: “a remarkable cultural landscape created by human endeavor over a millennium in a rugged and dramatic natural environment. It represents the harmonious interaction between people and nature to produce a landscape of exceptional scenic quality”.

Can you still walk Cinque Terre? ›

However, you can still hike the entire five towns, it just requires a bit more effort. But with great effort, comes great reward. Riomaggiore – Manarola – (Closed) Via dell'Amore (Lover's Lane or transated Way of Love) was the most popular portion of Cinque terre at only 1.5 km.

What does Silencio Bruno mean in Luca? ›

This is when Alberto tells him, "Silenzio, Bruno." Meaning Behind "Silenzio, Bruno" This phrase is meant to silence your own inner naysayer and support you to make the decision that makes your heart happy.

What is Alberto's Italian phrase in Luca? ›

In “Luca” Alberto tells Luca, “Piacere, Girolamo Trombetta?” This roughly translates to, “Pleased to meet you.” In fact, the director himself, Enrico Casarosa, explained it on Twitter.

What does Bruno mean in Italian Luca? ›

In this particular scene, Alberto tells Luca that he has a “Bruno” in his head, or in other words, a nagging voice that tells him he isn't capable or allowed to do something.

Which towns are the Cinque Terre? ›

The five towns that make up the Cinque Terre - Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso - began life as medieval fortified settlements, each protected by a castle overlooking the sea guarding against Saracen raiders.

What is the 4 town reference in Luca? ›

The even trickier piece is that in Luca, the Italian logo says “4 (Star) Villaggi,” which translates to 4 (Star) Villages in English. That's not the only switch, because Mei's lanyard says “4 (Star) Town,” which, of course, a village is similar to a town.

What city in Cinque Terre is Luca based on? ›

Luca is set in Portorosso: this is a fictional town. But the name sounds suspiciously like that of Monterosso, one of the five villages that compose the Cinque Terre.

What area is Cinque Terre? ›

The Cinque Terre (Italian pronunciation: [ˈtʃiŋkwe ˈtɛrre]; Ligurian: Çinque Tære, meaning "Five Lands") is a coastal area within Liguria, in the northwest of Italy. It lies in the west of La Spezia Province, and comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Why is Cinque Terre so special? ›

In 1997, UNESCO recognized Cinque Terre as a World Heritage site: “a remarkable cultural landscape created by human endeavor over a millennium in a rugged and dramatic natural environment. It represents the harmonious interaction between people and nature to produce a landscape of exceptional scenic quality”.

How long does it take to walk the 5 villages of Cinque Terre? ›

You can walk the entire route in about six hours, if you take short breaks—although many hikers prefer to spread the route out over a few days at a strolling pace, stopping to enjoy the towns along the way. You can start from either direction (Monterosso, heading south, or Riomaggiore, heading north).

What major city is closest to Cinque Terre? ›

Even if you are heading to the Cinque Terre, keep in mind that the largest and closest city to the Cinque Terre is called LA SPEZIA.

Is Turning Red related to Luca? ›

Turning Luca (also known as Turning Luca Red) is a crossover between the two CGI animated movies Luca and Turning Red. While this crossover is not very widespread it still has several loyal fans.

What is the Disney Easter egg in Luca? ›

Many students went on to work for Disney and Pixar and frequently sneak it into the movies as an Easter egg. Particularly in Luca, "A113" appears on a train ticket. When Alberto gives Luca a train ticket so that he can attend school, the audience can clearly see it.

Why are they called 4town? ›

As a homage to '00s boy band culture, 4*Town draws inspiration from the most popular groups of that era. The name draws specific references to *NSYNC, borrowing the group name's star, as well as possibly the group O-Town.

How do I get from Florence to Cinque Terre? ›

All trains from Florence stop in the city of La Spezia where you will need to change to the Cinque Terre Express Train to continue into the park and towns. There are trains every day from Florence's Santa Maria Novella Station to La Spezia Centrale Station, which is the main train hub for the Cinque Terre.

Where in Italy is the Italian Riviera? ›

The Italian Riviera lies in the northwestern corner of Italy, in the region of Liguria. It stretches along the Ligurian sea from the Italian-French border to the Tuscan border.

Is Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast? ›

Both are on the country's west coast, but Cinque Terre faces the Ligurian Sea and Amalfi Coast faces the Tyrrhenian Sea (both seas are part of the Mediterranean). The villages of Cinque Terre mainly face to the southwest, while those of Amalfi Coast face more directly south.

Is Cinque Terre close to Florence or Rome? ›

Cinque Terre is only 105 miles (169 km) away from Florence, making it an easy side trip that takes between 1.5-3 hours one way. There are a few options for making your way here—train, car or private transfer—but before choosing your means of transport, consider the geography.

What language do they speak in Cinque Terre Italy? ›

The official language spoken in Cinque Terre is Italian. However, given the wide popularity the region enjoys with the English and the German visitors, there are plenty of tourist venues where English and German are widely spoken.

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