Filming of action movie scenes in Paris banned after terrorist attacks

The filming of action movies or police chases has been restricted by authorities in Paris after last month’s attacks which left 20 people dead, including three gunmen. Fearing that actors could be mistaken for police or army officials, filming has been banned in high-profile public places. Tensions remain high in the French capital after the Charlie Hebdo magazine attacks in January. Armed police and soldiers are still posted outside sensitive sites, including synagogues, media offices and major shopping areas.

There’s a problem with these action-type scenes, as the actors in uniform could be targets for terrorists. Also, the actors could pose confusion for the general public - during this highly sensitive period.

Police official Sylvie Barnaud

The city has long been a favoured filming location, especially for chase scenes that feature some of the world’s most recognisable landmarks. Luc Besson’s 2014 box-office hit Lucy, with Scarlett Johansson, features a police chase next to the Louvre - something impossible under the new rules. The same may have been true of 2014’s blockbuster Edge Of Tomorrow, which was partly filmed in the French capital, starring Emily Blunt and Tom Cruise. Several productions have already been disrupted - including one called Flics Tout Simplement (Simply Cops) which was supposed to have a scene with a police officer outside a school.

Entertainment Paris bans filming