Benigni carves 'Pinocchio'
Helmer begins Italy's most expensive film ever
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The $45 million pic, which Oscar-winning actor Roberto Benigni is toplining and directing, will be distributed worldwide by Miramax. The Cecchi Gori Group will distribute in Italy.
The first day of shooting took place in a converted chemical factory transformed into a studio. No reporters were allowed on the set of the fairy-tale pic, to be released at the end of 2002.
Among the few allowed inside the highly guarded studio was Terni's bishop, monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, who has blessed the set and talked at length with Benigni.
"I have found many analogies between Pinocchio and the Bible," the actor apparently told the bishop. "I have used some inspiration from 'Life Is Beautiful' to teach religion; I hope I'll be able to do the same with "Pinocchio,' " Benigni told him.
Pic is produced by Elda Ferri and Gianluigi Braschi for Melampo Cinematografica, with Mario Cotone exec producing. Benigni plays the title role, and his wife, Nicoletta Braschi, plays the Blue Fairy.
