Roberts Film Hit By Bali Protests

17 October 2009

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Filming on Julia Roberts' new movie Eat, Pray, Love was thrown into turmoil after residents in Bali, Indonesia refused the production crew access to the set.

Locals in the village of Bentuyung, where filming was scheduled to takeplace, objected when the crew arrived a month early.

They blockaded roads and demanded payment of $32,000 (£21,333) forthe use of the location.

Everything is okay now. The villagers understand. Many local and international films have been shot here with no problem at all

The protest embarrassed officials who had granted movie bosses permission to film there.

District chief Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, says, "There was a misunderstanding. The crew came in (with) 20 trucks, earlier than their scheduled shooting on November 10, so the villagers were offended and blocked the roads. They asked for 300 million rupiah ($32,100£21,333) touse the location for filming. I was very embarrassed and told them this was unacceptable".

Sukawati insists the problem has now been resolved and filming will go ahead as planned.

He adds, "Everything is okay now. The villagers understand. Many local and international films have been shot here with no problem at all".

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