We Ought to Be In Pictures

(10/27/2011)

Based on the Alex Cross, the fictional character invented by author James Patterson (Kiss the Girl and Along Cane a Spider), Director Rob Cohen has brought his cast and crew to Bali to shoot segments of a soon-to-be-released blockbuster  I, Alex Cross.

Cohen has a distinguished list of successful films and TV work he has produced or directed, including: Fast and the Furious, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.

In Cohen’s current project, partially filmed in Bali, Tyler Perry plays Detroit detective Alex Cross who struggles with his thirst for revenge as he tracks an assassin Gilles Mercier, played by Jean Reno (Ronin, Leon: The Professional, The Da Vinci Code, Pink Panther and Hotel Rwanda), who murdered his wife in the course of staking his main target.

Cohen’s passion for Bali where he maintains a part-time home, prompted him to shoot the climactic scenes on the island’s east coast of Karangasem. In addition to the international crew that includes; Director of Photography Ricardo Della Rossa (House Of Sand, Adrift) and Executive Producer Ethan Smith (W, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid), 35 local crew and 20 extras are supporting the production.

The Bali shooting set was visited by recently appointed Minister of Tourism & Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, accompanied by Director for Film Affairs Syamsul Lussa.

During that meeting, Pangestu invited the Director to participate in the ASEAN Film Festival to be held in conjunction with BALINALE International Film Festival, November 15-20, 2011 and coinciding with the ASEAN Summit, Bali.

The Minister told the State News Agency Antara that films made in Bali can help promote Bali’s image to the world. “The choice of Indonesia as a film shooting locations offers the chance to introduce the destination while at the same time presenting opportunities for the creative industry sector in Indonesia to participate in these film projects.,” explained Pangestu.

Produced by Bill Block and Paul Hanson of QED International, Rob Cohen’s I, Alex Cross also stars Matthew Fox, Edward Burns, Rachel Nichols and Jessalyn Wanlim.

The film is scheduled for release in 2012.

Filming was facilitated by Bali Film Center and Syzygy Productions providing production services,

Shown on Balidiscovery.com are actor Jean Reno, Minister Pangestu and Director Rob Cohen.

Source: Bali Discovery