In the same year that France has hosted two of television’s most glamorous and escapist international hits — the final season of Netflix’s “Emily in Paris” and Season 4 of HBO’s “The White Lotus” — the country has been shaken by one of its most violent waves of rioting in decades. What began as nationwide demonstrations on Oct. 17 over the rising cost of living and deteriorating conditions in public schools descended into scenes of urban chaos. Some 550,000 people took to the streets and the protests turned into widespread looting, arson and clashes with police.
Three days later, authorities had recorded 2,397 arrests, and at least 3,000 businesses have been damaged alongside landmarks. In Lyon, rioters set fire to the historic tourist office on Place Bellecour. In Marseille, masked protesters stormed City Hall and toppled a bust of Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic.
In Paris, luxury boutiques were ransacked and storefronts smashed. Amid the post-apocalyptic spectacle, France has continued to serve as a playground for some of Hollywood’s biggest productions, notably in the French Riviera region, which is hosting the final stretch of filming on the fourth season of Mike White’s “The White Lotus.” Warner Bros.’ “Ocean” prequel, which Bradley Cooper is directing and starring in opposite Margot Robbie, George MacKay and Monica Barbaro, is wrapping its French shoot in Monaco; and Mimi Cave’s psychological thriller “Pumping Black,” starring Natalie Portman, Jonathan Bailey and Lukas Gage, is filming in Nice. So far, these productions have largely escaped disruption, but the riots have rattled film crews and prompted warnings from Hollywood studios’ security departments.
Veteran French executive producer Raphaël Benoliel, who is currently working on “Pumping Black” in Nice, says the American team was concerned about violence even though the shoot hasn’t been disrupted so far. But when it comes to upcoming shoots, the unrest might impact future decisions over destinations. Avoid Marseille,’” Benoliel says.
If you wanted to organize a location scout in Paris today or tomorrow, it’s entirely possible that a studio would say, ‘No, postpone it. Wait.’” He continues, “Because of what happened, France has now been flagged as a problem area. You know how people say, ‘Don’t go filming in Ukraine right now,’ or in certain parts of the Middle East?
Well, now France has been put on that list.” Still, Benoliel says the South of France — with the exception of Marseille — hasn’t been as affected by the riots as big cities like Paris or Lille. The violence also spooked crew members staying in Nice, where shops were looted over the weekend, says Isabelle Desgorges, a Gaumont executive whose team is handling production services on the “Ocean’s” prequel. People were wondering what on earth was going on,” Desgorges says.
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