Woody Allen wants to film in Ireland

WOODY ALLEN would love to make a movie in Ireland if he were to receive an offer of incentives from the Irish Film Board such as those he’s received from other European cities such London, Barcelona, Paris and Rome.

A frequent visitor to this country over several decades, Allen — in an interview with the Irish Examiner today — again reiterates his desire to set and film a movie in Ireland.

“I would love to make a movie in Ireland if I could find the right story,” he said.

“I have been a regular visitor to Ireland for years and the light there is really special.

“Of course I’d be delighted to spend a few months there on a movie if I received similar incentives.”

The city of London has gone out of its way to attract Allen and he has filmed four movies there including Match Point which starred Jonathan Rhys Myers and Scarlett Johannson, Scoop which also starred Johannson and Allen himself, and Cassandra’s Dream, which starred Colin Farrell.

You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger, his latest movie, is also set in London and stars Josh Brolin, Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins.

“I’ve worked with Colin Farrell and Jonathan Rhys Myers on two of the movies I shot in London — two supremely talented actors, by the way,” he said.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona was filmed in Barcelona.

His next movie to be released was filmed in Paris last year.

Midnight in Paris stars Rachel McAdams, Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Marion Cotillard and Carla Bruni Sarkozy. It will open the Cannes Film Festival in May.

“I love these sophisticated and civilised metropolises,” he said. “Each time, it’s been like writing a love letter to these places and projecting my feelings for them onto the screen. I hope to be able to do the same for Rome.”

Movies shot in Rome are eligible for 25% tax credits for international productions.