Haifa mayor Amram Mitzna last night succeeded in persuading producers of the "Spy Games" film, starring Robert Redford and Brad Peat, to shoot part of the film in Haifa. Two weeks ago, the producers had announced they had gone back on their decision to shoot the film in Haifa.
The producers claimed that business owners in downtown Haifa, where shooting was scheduled to take place, had demanded exorbitant amounts of money. Mitzna met last night with the producers and the owners of downtown businesses, and the parties reached agreement on the payment by the producers to the owners during filming.
"Spy Games" is being produced by Universal Studios of the Canadian Seagram group, controlled by the Bronfman family.
Following the agreement with business owners, the Universal Studios representative told Mitzna that several key scenes will be filmed in Haifa.
Mitzna said the municipality attached great importance to the filming in Haifa, since it will contribute to tourism, the town's economy and international exposure.
This was the reason he decided to intervene personally in the dispute between the producers and the owners of businesses.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 16 August, 2000