The 90-year-old American director has unveiled his 51st film, due to start shooting on 5 October.
Woody Allen presented his 51st film in Madrid, because it will be filmed mainly in the Spanish capital. The project is being financed by both authorities: the City Council and the regional government will each contribute 1.5 million euros, 3 million in total, through sponsorship contracts linked to promoting Madrid. The film has a budget of around 12 million euros, so public support will cover roughly a quarter of the overall cost.
The sponsorship agreement also underlines that Madrid must appear in the title of the film and that the city should have a clearly recognisable presence on screen. The City Council justifies its contribution as a tool to strengthen Madrid’s international profile as a cultural, tourist and film-making destination.
During his press conference, Allen said he is “deeply concerned about the rise of fascism” and stressed that he has always opposed it in all its forms, whether in government or in areas such as theatre, censorship or literature.
