Cars Torched, Crew Threatened Suspends Travolta Film

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Montfermeil - The new movie starring John Travolta, "From Paris With Love" was suspended after about a dozen cars which were to be used during the filming, were burned over the weekend and threats were directed at the crew.

The film was to begin shooting yesterday, in an area of the northeastern suburbs of the French capital. The cars were set on fire on Oct. 10 and 12 in Les Bosquets, a tough neighborhood in the town of Montfermeil. Europacorp's boss Luc Besson went to assess the damage and at that time told everyone that the filming was being canceled.

Montfermeil is located in the Seine Saint-Denis region, where several impoverished towns were hit by suburban riots in November 2005 and again in March 2006. Thousands of cars were burned during weeks of violence. The unemployment rate in Les Bosquets is around 40 percent and higher for youth, Timm Rigal, the head of cabinet of the mayor's office explained. The community living there comprises 49 different nationalities.

Travolta is playing a U.S. spy in the $52 million ($38 million-euro) film, set in Paris. The filming was to last 12 weeks, in various parts of Paris including an eastern town of Annecy. Some of the scenes were to be shot in a derelict building that is to be demolished in the next three years.

The production company hired some 100 local people to fill positions needed for extras, stunts, security and catering.

The Paris-Based production company created and led by French director Luc Besson, is denying that the filming has been completely canceled.

"Maybe Mr. Besson said that in anger,'' said Axelle Vuillermet, Europacorp's spokeswoman. ``The filming is suspended in Montfermeil, not canceled.''

Besson is the writer behind such movies as "The Big Blue" and "The Fifth Element".