Spielberg Joins Scorsese in Effort to Save Rome’s Cinemas

Rome: Steven Spielberg has aligned himself with a campaign spearheaded by Martin Scorsese and other notable figures in the creative industry to preserve Rome’s cultural venues, with a particular focus on cinemas, from being repurposed into commercial establishments such as malls, supermarkets, and hotels.

According to Ansa News Agency, the initiative has garnered widespread support from prominent directors and actors, including Isabella Rossellini, L©a Seydoux, Alfonso Cuaron, and Olivier Assayas. The appeal, initiated by Scorsese along with Francis Ford Coppola, Jane Campion, Wes Anderson, and Ari Aster, urges Italian leaders President Sergio Mattarella and Premier Giorgia Meloni to protect shuttered movie theatres in Rome and other locations from conversion into non-cultural entities.

The movement, which has been gaining momentum in recent weeks, echoes the concerns previously voiced by architect and Life Senator Renzo Piano. Scorsese has called upon his global colleagues to join the campaign, emphasizing the importance of preserving what he describes as a “last possibility of redemption” for Rome, a city renowned for its cultural and artistic significance.

The appeal has already secured signatures from a diverse group of industry figures, including J.J. Abrams, Judd Apatow, Fanny Ardant, Sean Baker, Pedro Costa, Mark Cousins, David Cronenberg, Willem Dafoe, Joe Dante, James Franco, John Landis, Yorgos Lanthimos, Kenneth Lonergan, Radu Mihaileanu, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Schrader, Damien Chazelle, John Turturro, Thomas Vinterberg, Debra Winger, and Edgar Wright.

In the appeal, the signatories voice their disapproval of converting spaces meant for Rome’s cultural revival into commercial sites. They argue that such changes would lead to an “irreparable loss” and a “deep profanation” of the city’s rich history and cultural legacy meant for future generations.

Scorsese, who was the first to sign the letter, is focused on preventing any reconfiguration of Rome’s cultural spaces. The letter emphasizes the importance of transforming these neglected venues into vibrant cultural centers that will enrich the lives of both current and future generations. The campaign draws particular attention to the Piccolo America movie theatre in Rome, underscoring the urgency of the situation.