‘Fast and Furious 9’ filming kicks off in Tbilisi
By Levan Abramishvili
Monday, August 19
Several streets in Tbilisi will be closed starting from August 19 to film scenes for the Hollywood movie ‘Fast and Furious 9’. The limited movement on Vazha-Pshavela and Rustaveli avenues, as well as a part of Old Tbilisi will last until September 20.
The program Film in Georgia spent over a year negotiating with the producers of the world-famous franchise. The year included visits by influential Hollywood producers to Georgia, to explore the country's landscape, history and character along with Georgian dishes, wines, and toasts.
According to Film in Georgia, filming of the action feature film will be carried out by the Georgian production company Enkeny Films. It’s expected that the five-week filming schedule will see a production crew of more than 600, including up to 425 Georgians working in Tbilisi and Rustavi. The project is expected to generate a tremendous economic impact for Georgia, making it the largest film production ever to film in the country.
Mikheil Khidureli, the head of the Enterprise Georgia, of which Film in Georgia is a part of, spoke with Forbes Georgia about the details of their cooperation with Hollywood.
“We managed to bring high-ranking representatives to Georgia. One thing is when you go there for talks and the other is when they come here and see everything with their own eyes. At the international exhibitions, one question was constant – if there were any Hollywood films shot in Georgia. Our answer has been the same – no, but an American film has been shot here. So the main outcome of this program is that we made a breakthrough. Among the 17 countries, we were chosen because we offered them a flexible system, fast solutions, and a comfortable cash-rebate program,” said Khidureli.
According to him, Tbilisi and Georgia will be identified in the film, “which doesn’t always happen”. Georgia will not only see a financial benefit because more than GEL million will be spent daily, but it will also serve as an effective advertisement for the country.
“They brought all the equipment with them, including the cars and the weapons that were necessary for the filming. We also don't have stunt performers. We do not have a specialist who will drive at 350k/h on Rustaveli Avenue, crash a Porsche car and survive. We are well aware that we are not ready to provide all the services, however, the demand for filmmaking is on the rise,” said the head of the Enterprise Georgia agency.
“Our willingness to help and accelerate processes were crucial during the decision-making process. This will be not only to the financial benefit for our country; in fact, but it will also be the most effective marketing activity for Georgia,” he added. According to Khidureli, several other projects are being discussed with Universal. He also announced that a meeting with Netflix representatives is planned in the near future.
The filming of the ninth chapter in the Fast & Furious saga is the first Hollywood film to participate in the State program Film in Georgia. The program offers 20-25% cash rebate on qualified expenses incurred in Georgia and aims to “support the development of Georgia’s film industry, attract international filmmakers to the country and position Georgia as the main Eastern European filming destination”.
Justin Lin, the movie’s director, spoke about Tbilisi as a filming location, praising its mixture of history and modernity.
“We are thrilled to film one of our biggest action sequences in Georgia with the support of many government agencies especially Enterprise Georgia. The moment I saw Tbilisi’s unique mix of historical architecture and modern structures amidst these wonderful colors and textures I knew we found our location. Tbilisi is the perfect backdrop for the ninth chapter in the Fast & Furious saga,” said Lin.
Fast & the Furious is an American media franchise centered on a series of action films that is largely concerned with illegal street racing, heists, and spies. The global blockbuster has grossed over $5 billion worldwide.
The ninth installment of the franchise, set to be released on May 22, 2020, by Universal Pictures, will star Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, John Cena, Helen Mirren, and Charlize Theron.
A number of Governmental agencies have been working closely with Universal Pictures, Enkeny Films, and the film’s production team to organize filming of an action scene that features a car chase through some of the city’s iconic and well-known areas.
Film in Georgia initiative is a part of the Enterprise Georgia, an agency under the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.