Martin Scorsese Urges Italy’s President and Prime Minister to Save Rome Cinemas From Being Turned Into Malls and Hotels: It’s ‘Utterly Unacceptable’

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Martin Scorsese, Jane Campion, and Wes Anderson have joined forces in signing a petition to prevent the potential transformation of several movie theaters in Rome into shopping malls and grocery stores, as suggested by local legislative proposals.

Concerns about the future of Rome’s cinemas arose last month following the successful bid by investment firms, Colliers Global Investors and Wrm Capital, at a bankruptcy auction of Rome real estate. The winning bid secured nine movie theaters for approximately €50 million ($52 million).

Several of these locations, including the bustling Cinema Adriano multiplex in the city center, continue to operate, while some others have been closed for a prolonged period. The individual funding this project is rumored to be Raffaele Mincione, an Italian-British financier.

Currently, a fresh regional law is in the process of being finalized and will be voted on this week. This legislation aims to abolish rules that at present restrict Rome’s cinemas from transforming into other types of businesses, keeping them exclusively as cultural venues instead.

Over the weekend, Martin Scorsese responded to a distress call from Rome’s Cinema America collective, who manage the city’s largest open-air film festival and the popular Cinema Troisi art cinema. He penned an open letter, drawing inspiration from architect Renzo Piano, and addressed it to Italy’s top decision-makers.

In his thoughtful commentary, Renzo Piano’s views on Rome’s current state are evident. It seems he strongly disagrees with the idea of converting spaces earmarked for potential cultural revival in Rome into hotels, malls, and supermarkets. Such a change would be regrettable, Scorsese asserts, marking a tragic, irreversible loss – a severe desecration not just of Rome’s historical essence but also of its cultural heritage intended for future generations.

Martin Scorsese’s appeal persists, urging fellow filmmakers worldwide, festival organizers, and cultural leaders to endorse a letter aimed at preserving Rome – a crucial global hub for culture and art. This petition is also directed towards President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in an effort to halt any transformation of cultural sites in Rome into something else. It’s our responsibility to breathe new life into the neglected ‘desert cathedrals’, transforming them into vibrant centers of culture, providing nourishment for both current and future generations.

Valerio Carocci, head of Cinema America collective in Rome, stated to EbMaster that the proposed legislation could essentially encourage theater owners to close down their operational cinemas to facilitate property conversions and boost real estate value. In essence, Carocci described it as a potential fatal blow for future generations in Rome.

Notable filmmakers who have supported the initiative initiated by Renzo Piano, Scorsese, and Carocci also include Spike Lee, David Cronenberg, Ari Aster, Julie Taymor, Mubi’s Efe Cakarel, Yorgos Lanthimos, J.J. Abrams, Josh Safdie, Todd Haynes, Judd Apatow, Damien Chazelle, Mark Cousins, Alfonso Cuarón, Willem Dafoe, Robert Eggers, Joanna Hogg, Dawn Hudson, Isabella Rossellini, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Schrader, Léa Seydoux, John Turturro, Thomas Vinterberg, Jeremy Thomas, Paweł Pawlikowski, and Debra Winger.

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2025-02-24 18:17