Despite their massive budgets, Hollywood is getting frugal, attempting to secure the maximum amount of tax credits for their productions, resulting increased activity in New Orleans, Vancouver and more. But on the smaller scale side of things, a South American mayor is thinking of a different incentive to make up for production costs.
Early last month we saw Woody Allen show some interest in Sweden, but he may be swooned to Rio de Janeiro first. According to O Globo (translated by The Guardian), mayor Eduardo Paes wants the filmmaker to make an upcoming film there in order to potentially boost tourism. He says, “I’ll pay whatever it takes to get him to come film here.” Yes, that means “100% of the production.”
While we imagine the Blue Jasmine director will do what he pleases — rumor has it he even shot his last film in San Francisco simply because he wanted to go there — this offer is not just wishful thinking on Paes’ part. He says he’s already spoke with Allen’s sister, Letty Aronson, who produces his films, and that “he’d put up with any local criticism for handing over the millions that Woody wants”.
We’ll have to wait and see if anything comes of this, but for now, one can see a pair of photos (via Woody Allen Pages) of his current period production in the south of France with Colin Firth, Emma Stone, Marcia Gay Harden, Jacki Weaver and more. One can also see a few more details on the 2014-bound film here.
Would you like to see Woody Allen head to Rio? What do you think of this look at his latest film?