Brazilian film officials have launched a new campaign to lure Woody Allen to Rio de Janeiro.
The movie bosses want the Vicky Cristina Barcelona director to consider setting his next film there, and, according to the Los Angeles Times newspaper, city chiefs are offering Allen $2 million (GBP1.3 million) in subsidies if he agrees to shoot in the city.
The moviemaker is taking the offer seriously - he recently sent his sister, Letty Aronson, to Rio to scout out locations.
The move to lure Allen to South America comes after city Mayor Eduardo Paes and state Governor Sergio Cabral agreed to merge the city and state film commissions.
Rio is currently on a wave of popularity after winning the chance to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games earlier this month (Oct09).
The city will also be one of several Brazilian sites hosting the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament.
2009 has been a good year for the filmmaker with Vicky Cristina barcelona scopping a Golden Globe and Penelope Cruz winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
His next movie Whatever Works brings together a cast of Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley, Jr., Michael McKean, and Henry Cavill.
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