Tom Cruise on the set of Mission Impossible 7 in Rome
Credit: AFP
As special agent Ethan Hunt, he is used to creating chaos, but Tom Cruise has caused a fresh stir with the filming of the new Mission Impossible film in Rome.
The Hollywood star and an army of actors, crew and technicians have descended on the Eternal City to make the latest instalment of what seems like an eternal series – Mission Impossible 7.
Among the locations in which they have been filming is a historic hospital, the Policlinico Umberto I.
It was not clear which part of the plot required filming inside the 19th century building, although large cameras were set up on a first floor balcony.
Tom Cruise and British-US actress Hayley Atwell during the filming of "Mission Impossible : Lybra" in Rome
Credit: AFP
But not everyone is appreciative of the production’s presence, with doctors’ unions saying it was irresponsible when the hospital is caring for around 140 Covid-19 patients.
Hosting a multi-million dollar Hollywood production at the same time as fighting a second wave of cases in Rome was irresponsible, three unions said.
Filming was taking place near a special, reserved lift that led to the hospital’s Covid-19 wards, Italian daily La Repubblica claimed.
“The other day the situation was really chaotic,” a member of the hospital staff told the paper. “It is serious that at this dramatic time, in which the curve of infections is rising, we are hosting a Hollywood movie production.”
Roberto Chierchia, secretary general of a medical union, said having a film crew working in the hospital was “irresponsible.”
There were 130 patients suffering from Covid-19 and 12 in intensive care. In addition, 12 members of staff have tested positive in the last few days.
“In this context, it is dangerous and very irresponsible to have a film set here and we are angry with management,” he told The Telegraph.
The cast and crew have all worn masks during filming in Rome
Credit: AFP
“We are one of the key hospitals in Rome in the battle against the virus. We are seeing a large number of new infections across Italy every day. To allow several days of filming inside a hospital does not seem normal.”
Paramount Pictures, which is making the film, did not respond to requests for comment. But the director of the hospital, Vincenzo Panella, insisted that safety protocols were being followed.
“They are certainly not filming near the Covid wards,” he said. “There are always people who like to complain, whatever you do.”
The production crew and actors, including Tom Cruise, all wore masks and are undergoing daily testing.
He waved to crowds as he filmed car chases and other scenes in the historic centre of Rome. Mission Impossible 7 is the third film in the series to be directed by Christopher McQuarrie, after Rogue Nation and Fallout.
The cast includes Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell and Ving Rhames. It is due to be released by Paramount Pictures next year.
The production is due to pump €35 million into the Italian economy, of which €18 million will be spent in Rome.
The filming of the movie in Italy is “an important sign of recovery for Rome and for the whole country after the lockdown, which hit film production hard in the whole world,” Rome city council said in a statement.
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