Hollywood in Holy Land
Hollywood in Jerusalem
New American movie to be filmed in Israel; locals hope lull in violence attracts more foreign productions
JERUSALEM - The filming of Mitch Davis' “Mount of Olives" is set to start next Monday in Israel. The project marks the first Hollywood production to be filmed here since the outbreak of the intifada.
Sources in the Israeli film industry said they hope many more such productions will find their way here, as American and international producers tended to choose other locations in recent years, mainly in light of the unstable security situation.
Accordingly, the shooting of "Spy Game" starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt, Originally slated for Israel, was moved to Morocco.
“The Body,” directed by Jonas McCord and starring Antonio Banderas, was the last significant production in Israel.
“Mount of Olives” is the impossible love story of Romy and Jula, a clear allusion to Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet." Romy, a young Jewish-American man, arrives in Israel and meets the love of his life, the beautiful Palestinian doctor, Jula.
Former French beauty queen to play lead role
The movie will be produced by two Hollywood heavyweights: Jim Abraham ("The other side of Heaven") and Aldric La’Auli Porter ("A Beautiful Mind," "As good as It Gets," "Apollo 13.")
Both producers were reluctant to provide any financial details concerning the production, but sources on their production team said the film's budget is about USD 9 million.
Director Mitch Davis is a former Disney Studios advisor and writer-director of “The other side of heaven.” Romy’s tortured character will be played by Eion Bailey ("ER," "Fight Club," "Almost Famous,") while former French beauty queen Linda Hardi will play the young Palestinian doctor.
Filming is expected to last nine-and-a-half weeks in various locations around the country, including Jerusalem, Jaffa, and Herzliya.
