Inspired by a true story and written with the help of a criminal lawyer, the new film Borgo by Stéphane Demoustier arrived in Italian cinemas on August 6 2026. It is an emotional thriller freely inspired by a true story, in which the line between good and evil, right and wrong becomes increasingly blurred as one gets involved with the characters.
The setting, that claustrophobic atmosphere of a maximum-security prison, contributes to this: here are the locations of Borgo, divided between marine wonders a stone’s throw from Italy and evocative historic towns.
What it’s about
Mélissa Dahleb (Hafsia Herzi), a young corrections officer, relocates to Corsica with her family in the hopes of putting the past behind her. At the Borgo prison, where she is assigned, she confronts a reality that is very different from what she’s used to: here it seems that the inmates wield more power and exert a certain control over the guards.
In the realm of organized crime offenses, for instance, the convicted are subjected to an open regime. It is here that Mélissa meets Saveriu (Louis Memmi): a charismatic man who helps her understand the unwritten rules of prison life and to acclimate. The trust between them is destined, however, to morph into something much darker and more dangerous when, after leaving prison, the man asks the officer a favor.
Where the film was shot
Compiègne
The Borgo prison is naturally the main setting for a large portion of the film. However, the interior scenes were not shot inside the real Borgo penitentiary. The production chose the more accessible — at least logistically for the cast and crew — and decidedly picturesque Compiègne Prison, in Haute-France: today abandoned, for years it was one of the country’s most important justice institutions.
In town, one of the largest in the Oise department, notable — and not to be missed — are the Castle with its opulent imperial apartments, the medieval-style houses mostly still intact, and the oldest municipal bell in France, that of the City Hall.
Ajaccio
Among Borgo’s locations, Ajaccio is also worth mentioning: Napoleon’s city was chosen to shoot exterior scenes and panoramic shots that convey the film’s Corsican setting. The panoramic views are, after all, one of the main reasons to visit this town on Corsica’s southwest coast, which captivates visitors with golden beaches and sites of great historical-artistic interest.
In the heart of Ajaccio, for example, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, besides being a fine example of Corsican Baroque, houses the marble font where Emperor Napoleon was baptised and a Delacroix painting. Napoleon’s house, with original furnishings and treasured art collections belonging to the family, is another unmissable stop in Ajaccio.
Heading toward the sea, the Citadel still bears signs of what was meant to be the original fortification system and, above all, is very loved by tourists and locals for its nightlife. Those who love the sea in Ajaccio can find some of Corsica’s most beautiful beaches, while gaming enthusiasts can enjoy the historic Casino. An essential visit is a boat trip to the Sanguinarie Islands, from whose coves solitary and pristine sunsets can be admired like few others.
Grenoble
Even the Aéroport Grenoble Alpes Isère (also known as the Saint-Étienne-de-Saint-Geoirs airport) appears among Borgo’s locations: this facility was used to recreate the Corsican Bastia-Poretta airport setting, where the real-life tragic event that inspired the film took place.
