They are also where cardinals are murdered and mutilated in two of the more gruesome scenes in “Angels and Demons.” Requests to film on location in Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria, churches that are homes to paintings by Caravaggio, sculptures by Bernini and a chapel designed by Raphael, were refused. “I say the more films they produce in Rome, the better.” Other groups, like the Roman Catholic Church, which sees its authority as being undermined in both Brown best sellers, have been less receptive. The story takes place in some of the most magnificent spots in Rome, including the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Piazza del Popolo. Patrizia Prestipino, head of Rome’s provincial department of tourism, said, “A film like this could relaunch American tourism,” which has dropped by 6 percent this year from the same period last year (largely because of the weak dollar). Now Romans are wondering if the film of “Angels and Demons,” based on the 2000 predecessor to “The Da Vinci Code,” will do the same for their city. Brown’s last book-turned-movie, “The Da Vinci Code,” spawned hordes of tourists, toting well-thumbed novels, traipsing around France, Scotland and elsewhere to unravel its mysteries. ROME As Tom Hanks, Ron Howard and the rest of the cast and crew of “Angels and Demons” wrap up filming, the Dan Brown effect is on many minds here.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |