The production team behind maverick Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos’ upcoming sci-fi comedy “Bugonia”

The production team behind maverick Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos’ upcoming sci-fi comedy “Bugonia” has officially abandoned efforts to film at the Athens Acropolis or any nearby archaeological site.

Kathimerini understands that, following a recent negative recommendation by the Central Archaeological Council (KAS) – the body overseeing the Acropolis complex, including the 5th-century BC Parthenon temple dedicated to the goddess Athena – the production team dismissed the actors and crew hired for a key scene intended to be shot at the ancient citadel, and canceled the rental of filming equipment.

Although KAS rejected the request, it proposed several nearby alternatives to the Greek production company, Either/Or Productions, including the hills of Pnyx and Filopappou, and the pedestrianized Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. However, representatives of the company stated during the KAS session that the Acropolis itself was the ideal location.

The Ministry of Culture had taken a wait-and-see approach until late Thursday, expecting Either/Or Productions to indicate whether it would proceed with one of the suggested alternative locations. In recognition of Lanthimos’ body of work, the ministry had also agreed – pending approval – to waive the standard filming fee for the Acropolis, which typically amounts to €1,984 per day, including VAT.

On Wednesday, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni received a letter from Lanthimos’ team, reiterating their previously rejected request. According to sources, the letter did not provide sufficient grounds to revisit the issue at KAS.

As a result of the filming cancellation, the public will now have full access to the Acropolis on April 10 and 14 – dates when ticket sales had been partially suspended due to planned filming between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m.

“Bugonia” is a remake of the 2003 South Korean dark comedy “Save the Green Planet,” and stars Oscar-winner Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. The contested scene was to depict 70 dead bodies placed between the Propylaea and the Parthenon. In its majority-negative opinion, KAS stated that the proposed scenes “are incompatible with the symbolism and values represented by the Acropolis, and especially the Parthenon.”

The film is scheduled for release in the United States and Canada on November 7.

Source: pagenews.gr