Martin Scorsese, Jane Campion, and Wes Anderson are among the renowned filmmakers who have joined an urgent appeal to prevent the conversion of Rome’s historic movie theaters into malls and hotels, as proposed by new regional legislation.
The alarm was raised last month when Colliers Global Investors and Wrm Capital acquired nine cinemas in Rome for €50 million ($52 million) through a bankruptcy auction. Some of these venues, such as the Cinema Adriano multiplex, are still operational, while others have long been closed. The fund behind this purchase is believed to be managed by Italian-British financier Raffaele Mincione.
At the same time, new regional legislation is being drafted that could pave the way for these cinemas to be repurposed into commercial properties, removing the current protection that classifies them as cultural spaces. The law is expected to be approved soon.
In response, Scorsese, alongside the Cinema America collective that runs Rome’s largest open-air film festival and the popular Cinema Troisi, penned an open letter urging Italy’s leaders to take action. Inspired by architect Renzo Piano’s views on the situation, Scorsese called the potential transformation of these cultural sites into hotels, shopping centers, and supermarkets “utterly unacceptable.”
Scorsese’s letter emphasizes that such a move would not only harm Rome’s rich cultural legacy but would also rob future generations of their connection to the city’s artistic heritage. He called on global colleagues, festival directors, and cultural operators to join the cause and protect these iconic venues. The letter is addressed to President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, urging them to intervene before it’s too late.
Valerio Carocci, president of the Cinema America collective, highlighted that the new legislation could encourage even active movie theaters to close and be redeveloped, putting the future of Rome’s cultural spaces at risk.
The appeal, supported by an array of international filmmakers, also includes endorsements from Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Ari Aster, Julie Taymor, and many others, all calling for the preservation of these vital cultural landmarks in the heart of Rome.
