Martin Scorsese joins hundreds of filmmakers rallying to save Rome’s cinemas

• Rome’s historic cinemas are under threat as proposed legislation could turn 50 of the city’s iconic theaters into shopping centers and hotels. Martin Scorsese is among more than 500 filmmakers urging Italian leaders to preserve these cultural landmarks.
• Italian architect Renzo Piano warned that repurposing Rome’s historic cinemas for commercial use would degrade urban culture.
• The proposed legislation could pave the way for more commercial developments if passed this week.

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Rome’s historic cinemas are under threat as proposed legislation could turn 50 of the city’s iconic theaters into shopping centers and hotels. Now, filmmaker Martin Scorsese is among more than 500 filmmakers urging Italian leaders to preserve these cultural landmarks.

“Those spaces, whether active or abandoned, represent the last lungs of oxygen for our cities, increasingly saturated with cars, shopping centers, hotels and vacation homes,” architect Renzo Piano said in a statement to the Italian news agency ANSA.

Financial incentives threaten Rome’s historic cinemas

Piano warned that repurposing Rome’s historic cinemas for commercial use would degrade urban culture. He pointed to Paris as an example, where a movie theater can bring in about 900,000 euros over 15 years. However, converting that same space into a commercial property can boost its value to more than 10 million euros.

This financial incentive could push property owners to shut down historic theaters, sacrificing cultural heritage for higher profits, Piano said.

Filmmakers show support

Piano’s appeal has received support from prominent filmmakers worldwide. According to IndieWire, more than 500 directors and producers have signed an appeal to prevent the theaters’ closure.

Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, J.J. Abrams, Judd Apatow, Wes Anderson and Francis Ford Coppola are among those backing the cause.

Rome’s historic cinemas are cultural landmarks

Rome’s historic cinemas date back to the early 20th century and are renowned for their architecture and cultural significance. Cinema Adriano, one of the city’s oldest theaters, is a prime example. These spaces have hosted movies, artistic performances and community events for generations.

Filmmakers argue that preserving these venues is essential to maintaining Rome’s cultural identity and ensuring that future generations can experience cinema in its traditional form.

Scorsese’s ties to Rome

Many filmmakers supporting the cause have ties to Rome. Scorsese, for example, filmed parts of his 2002 epic “Gangs of New York” at Cinecittà Studios, one of Europe’s largest film studios.

“Such a transformation would represent an irrevocable loss: a profound sacrilege not only to the city’s rich history but also to the cultural legacy for future generations,” Scorsese said in a statement to IndieWire.

Legislation vote scheduled this week

The proposed legislation is scheduled for a vote this week. If passed, it would remove existing restrictions that prevent Rome’s historic cinemas from being converted into non-cultural spaces. This change could pave the way for more commercial developments.