Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, the sequel to the 2008 hit, had its advanced premiere in Pula Arena, on the eighth day of the 65th Pula Film Festival. From July 22nd to 25th, the film, which was mostly shot on the island of Vis, will screen at summer cinemas across the Adriatic. The film heads into regular cinema distribution on July 26th.

The special screening in Pula Arena was attended by the film’s writer and director, Ol Parker, as well as actors Jeremy Irvine, Josh Dylan and Hugh Skinner. 

 ‘We’re so glad to be standing here in front of you all. Since we spent so much time filming on Vis, and having made so many friends, we feel like we are home again,’ said the film’s director to the crowd at Pula Arena.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was mostly shot on Vis, where the cast and crew spent 24 days. At a press conference held before the screening in Pula’s Amphitheatre, the director and actors complimented the more than 270 film professionals and extras who were engaged on set.

‘We got everything we needed from the Croatian film industry workers. We were impressed with their speed and their professionalism, it was a dream collaboration. We received all necessary resources and support in a very short time and we are incredibly thankful,’ said Parker, who originally planned to film on a number of different islands, but he, and cinematographer Robert Yeoman, decided to stay on Vis because it just seemed the most ideal location for the film.

Daniel Rafaelić, head of the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, thanked the whole film crew for the successful collaboration. ‘This is one of those projects we are always proud of: from its application to the HAVC incentives programme, to the servicing producer Pakt Media filming on Vis, to post-production and initial trailers, and finally, to the regional premiere in Arena. This film has done so much for Croatia, but we will only really feel its impact in the coming days, months and years ahead,’ said Rafaelić.

Actor Josh Dylan, who played young Bill (Stellan Skarsgård) in the film, said the cast had a great time on Vis.

‘We went swimming every day, and developed a wonderful connection with the people and the island. Vis was our home, and it was a special experience for all of us,’ said Dylan.

The film’s writer and director is Ol Parker, the producers are Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman, while the composers and executive producers are the founders and members of the Swedish group ABBA, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Editus is the film’s Croatian distributor.

The film intertwines events both past and present and stars Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Lily James, Josh Dylan, Jeremy Irvine, Hugh Skinner, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters and Cher. 

After its premiere in Pula Arena, the film will screen at summer cinemas across the Adriatic: Komiža 23.7., Vis 23.7., Opatija 25.7., Dubrovnik 22.7., Mali Lošinj 22.7., Brač (Supetar) 25.7., Bol 23.7., Hvar 22.7., Split (Bačvice) 24.7., Biograd na Moru 23.7., Rab 22.7., Murter 22.7.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again will begin regular cinema distribution on July 26th.

Cover photos: premiere of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again in Pula Arena; Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again press conference