GREECE: Greek authorities have given rare permission for a scene in a Hollywood film about a disgruntled tour guide to be shot on the Acropolis

Record ID: 211452

  • Title: GREECE: Greek authorities have given rare permission for a scene in a Hollywood film about a disgruntled tour guide to be shot on the Acropolis
  • Date: 14th October 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTRESS NIA VARDALOS SAYING: "You can feel an energy that is very unique to being somewhere where there is so much ancient history, and on top of it to get to make this movie is an extra layer of unconscious energy and awareness and I just feel like I am having an out of body experience." VARIOUS OF CREW FILMING MOVIE, SOUND OF MAN ON LOUDSPEAKER TELLING PASSERS-BY NOT TO LOOK AT THE CAMERA AND CONTINUE TO WALK MOVIE CAMERA FILMING VARDALOS AND OTHER ACTORS OF FILM ON SET DIRECTOR DONALD PETRIE SPEAKING TO ACTORS CAST OF FILM DURING SCENE MOVIE CAMERA FILMING SCENE PARTHENON TEMPLE IN BACKGROUND
  • Embargoed: 29th October 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Reuters ID: LVAD0QE2FG9OETZIJRJUCH3RBYXJ
  • Story Text: Tourists visiting the Acropolis in Athens on Saturday (October 13) were treated to a rare view: the filming of a Hollywood comedy at the site of the ancient monument.
    The film, called "My Life in Ruins," follows a disgruntled tour guide leading a group of tourists through the ancient sites of Greece -- and finding love along the way.
    Actress Nia Vardalos, who shot to fame in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and Richard Dreyfuss star in the film. It is produced by Tom Hanks, whose company, Playtone, also produced "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", which was a huge success at the box office.
    The last time Greek authorities gave permission for a Hollywod shoot at the ancient site was in 1989 when a segment of the movie "New York Stories" directed by Francis Ford Coppola called "Life Without Zoe," was filmed there.
    During a short break in the shoot, Vardalos said filming on the Acropolis was almost a mystical experience.

    "You can feel an energy that is very unique to being somewhere where there is so much ancient history, and on top of it to get to make this movie is an extra layer of unconscious energy and awareness and I just feel like I am having an out of body experience," Vardalos said.
    Several directors have been denied permission to film at the Acropolis over the years.
    But Greek officials made an exception on this occasion as part of an effort to boost tourism and the country's image abroad.
    The film's director Donald Petrie said archaeologists, concerned that the site might be damaged during filming, had stipulated that no-one could enter or touch the ruins. Crew members also had to agree to only show authentic sites, not fake props of antiquities, and leave sites open to tourists.
    The permit for the Acropolis was given for one day only.
    The film also includes scenes shot at the ancient Greek sites of Delphi and Ancient Olympia.
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