Woody Allen should make a new film, and it will be in Spain
The Madrid region has just signed a deal with the filmmaker to promote the Iberian capital.
At 89, Woody Allen is preparing for what could well be his final lap.
After the hills of San Sebastián (Rifkin’s Festival) and the Catalan strolls of Vicky Cristina Barcelonathe New York filmmaker returns to Iberian soil and this time will install his camera in the Spanish capital for a project with the provisional title: Wasp (For Woody Allen Summer Project).
The regional government of Madrid has just granted it aid of 1.5 million euros — the same sum as that received in 2008 for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. A grant accompanied by a very specific condition: the name of Madrid must appear in the title of the film. A way to ensure that the city shines on the poster and on the screen. The agreement, consulted by El Paísalso specifies that the money will be paid in three installments, the last depending on the presentation of the film in a major international festival, such as Berlin or Venice.
Produced by Gravier Productions (Allen’s historic label) and Wanda Vision, Wasp promises to be in line with the director’s latest European works: modest budget, international casting, heritage setting and melancholic tone. No information has yet filtered on the scenario or the actors, but the official description mentions a “ cultural promotion partnership » around a film intended for “ strengthen the image of Madrid as a cinematographic destination “. Whatever that means.
For several years, Woody Allen – persona non grata in Hollywood – has been circling around his latest film. The French Stroke of luckpresented in Venice in 2023 – his 50th feature film – has long been presented as the last. The director had confided that he was no longer sure of continuing with cinema. But clearly, the filmmaker still has no intention of retiring.
