Visitors to one of Rome’s most well-known and exclusive streets were yesterday treated to the sight of Oscar-winning actor Roberto Benigni in his underwear.
With tourists and Romans looking on, Benigni stripped down to his drawers to in the middle of Via Veneto while cars and scooters zipped by and his on-screen begged him to return to the sidewalk.
Benigni is currently filming an episode for Woody Allen’s Rome-based comedy Bop Decameron. The movies will be divided into four vignettes and Benigni’s scenes appear to be based on La Dolce Vita.
Via Veneto was first immortalized by Fellini, so the setting of Allen’s scene is no coincidence. Today, the crew will return to the center of Rome to film a homage to the famous La Dolce Vita paparazzi scene, allowing real photographers to chase down Benigni.
Penelope Cruz, Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Alec Baldwin, and Greta Gerwig also have roles in the film.
Woody Allen’s cost to have all these famous faces appear and to convince an acclaimed actor to strip down to his boxers in public? The stars are reportedly receiving less than 600 Euros a day, well below the going rate for A-list talent.
