All the Names of God – Gran Vía

All the Names of God (original Spanish title: Todos los nombres de Dios), a 2023 Spanish action thriller directed by Daniel Calparsoro, prominently features Madrid’s iconic Gran Vía as a key filming location. This bustling avenue, often called the “Spanish Broadway,” served as the dramatic backdrop for high-stakes action sequences involving a hostage crisis. The film’s production shut down the street entirely, transforming it into a cinematic battleground that heightened the tension of its plot. Gran Vía’s coordinates, approximately 40.420006, -3.706158, place it at the heart of Madrid’s Centro district, near landmarks like the Telefónica Building and Teatro Gran Vía. This location amplified the movie’s themes of urban chaos and survival, drawing on the street’s real-world vibrancy and architectural grandeur. The choice underscored Madrid’s appeal as a filming hub, with Gran Vía’s mix of theaters, shops, and historic facades providing an authentic metropolitan feel. Released theatrically on September 15, 2023, by Tripictures, the film later streamed on Prime Video, earning praise for its frenetic pace and Luis Tosar’s lead performance as taxi driver Santi.

The Scene

In a pulse-pounding sequence, taxi driver Santi, played by Luis Tosar, becomes an unwilling human bomb after surviving a terrorist attack at Ciudad Real Airport. Bound with explosives that detonate if he stops moving, Santi is forced by terrorist Hamza (Nourdin Batán) to navigate the crowded heart of Madrid. Gran Vía becomes the epicenter of this ordeal, with the duo weaving through the avenue’s throngs amid police pursuits and explosive threats. The scene builds relentless suspense as Santi’s personal grief collides with the public panic, featuring chases past neon-lit theaters and grand facades. Supporting characters like Pilar Montero (Inma Cuesta) and law enforcement units, including the Civil Guard and bomb disposal teams, intensify the chaos. This climax evokes memories of empty Gran Vía shots in films like Alejandro Amenábar’s works, but here it’s filled with raw, explosive energy, culminating in a fight for survival that grips the city’s commercial pulse.

The Real Filming Location

Gran Vía is Madrid’s premier thoroughfare, stretching 1.3 kilometers from Calle de Alcalá to Plaza de España, lined with Art Deco and Neo-Gothic buildings, luxury shops, and over 30 theaters. Constructed between 1910 and 1925, it symbolizes the city’s early 20th-century boom and remains a top tourist draw for its vibrant nightlife and architecture. For filming, production closed Gran Vía to traffic and evacuated sections, a rare feat coordinated by the Madrid Film Office, allowing spectacular action sequences with real extras and units like the GRS and TEDAX bomb squad. Nearby spots like Paseo de la Castellana and CentroCentro’s Glass Gallery also featured, but Gran Vía’s closure halted the city center, underscoring its role as a production centerpiece. The coordinates 40.420006, -3.706158 pinpoint a central segment, close to the Museo Chicote at No. 12, though not directly used here. This location’s scale enabled immersive, large-scale shoots in 2022.

Why This Location Was Chosen

Gran Vía was selected for its status as Madrid’s most commercial and recognizable artery, perfectly mirroring the film’s high-tension urban thriller needs. Director Calparsoro leveraged the street’s grandeur to amplify the human bomb scenario’s stakes, creating a visceral “obstacle race” through real crowds and landmarks. Its history in cinema, from Almodóvar’s festive finale in Live Flesh to Amenábar’s eerie empty shots, made it ideal for evoking national familiarity and claustrophobic panic. Production notes highlight the full shutdown as key to authentic spectacle, involving Civil Guard collaborations for realism. Screenwriter Gemma Ventura’s script demanded a bustling yet controllable public space, and Gran Vía’s infrastructure supported complex stunts unavailable elsewhere. While no direct quotes from the director specify further, the location’s iconic status and logistical feasibility—backed by Madrid Film Office support—positioned it as the narrative’s explosive core, enhancing emotional and visual impact.

Visiting the Location

Gran Vía thrives as a visitor magnet, best explored on foot from morning to evening. Start at Plaza de Callao (near the coordinates) for views of the Telefónica Building, then stroll east past theaters like Gran Vía 1 and shops like Primark. It’s pedestrian-friendly with wide sidewalks, but weekends bring crowds—visit weekdays for ease. Public transport includes Metro lines 1, 2, and 5 at Gran Vía or Callao stations. Nearby, the Museo Chicote (Gran Vía 12) offers celebrity history and cocktails, open daily from 1 PM. Free rooftop views await at nearby CentroCentro (Cibeles Palace). Events like theater shows or holiday lights add magic, especially December. Safety is high, but watch for pickpockets in peak hours. No filming permits needed for tourists; nearby parking is scarce, so opt for walking or buses. Combine with Puerta del Sol for a full Centro loop.