As the government of the Italian Lazio region seeks to overturn a law protecting Rome’s historic cinemas, some of Hollywood’s most celebrated stars are mobilising to prevent what they see as a cultural disaster.
Currently, a regional law in Lazio requires owners to dedicate 70 per cent of cinema buildings’ internal space to cultural purposes. While this may seem highly specific, Rome’s cinemas — many dating back to the early 20th century— are an integral part of the city’s cultural heritage. At its peak, the capital boasted 160 cinemas; today, only 44 remain operational, while others, such as the Maestoso cinema, still stand but remain closed.
This week, however, a crucial vote is scheduled that, if passed, would permit cultural venues, including cinemas, to be repurposed as shopping malls, hotels, and supermarkets. The change in legislation could directly impact 50 of Rome’s historic cinemas. Last month, asset management firms Colliers Global Investors and WRM Capital acquired nine cinemas in a Rome real estate bankruptcy auction for approximately €50 million.
From an economic perspective, modifying the law could appear logical, as hotels, shopping centres, and supermarkets generate higher revenue than cinemas. However, renowned architect Renzo Piano has warned that such conversions would irrevocably alter the city’s urban fabric. Without legal protection, even the remaining operational cinemas could be at risk of closure due to financial pressures.
“Those spaces, whether active or abandoned, represent the last lungs of oxygen for our cities, increasingly saturated with cars, shopping centers, hotels and vacation homes”, Piano told the Italian news agency ANSA.
Piano, best known for designing the Pompidou Centre in Paris and The Shard in London, is now urging Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the government to block the proposed law and explore alternative solutions. In an open letter , he argues that while the function of these buildings may evolve, their future should serve the interests of local communities.
Martin Scorsese, along with Jane Campion and Wes Anderson, is urging Italy’s leaders to prevent Rome’s cinemas from being converted into malls and hotels
— The Director’s Cut (@The_Epic_Scenes) February 24, 2025
The concern arose after a real estate deal saw nine theaters acquired for redevelopment, with proposed legislation removing… pic.twitter.com/7Zi1hplhYC
More than 500 Hollywood celebrities have now endorsed Piano’s appeal. Among them are Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Wes Anderson, Yorgos Lanthimos, Willem Dafoe, and Isabella Rossellini. In a statement to IndieWire, Scorsese expressed his concern over the potential loss of Rome’s cultural heritage.
“As Renzo Piano eloquently reflects on the current situation in Rome, it is clear that the attempt to repurpose spaces intended for the possible cultural renaissance of the Eternal City into hotels, shopping centers and supermarkets is utterly unacceptable. Such a transformation would represent an irrevocable loss: a profound sacrilege not only to the city’s rich history but also to the cultural legacy for the future generations.”
The petition calls on cultural figures worldwide, including festival directors and arts institutions, to sign in support of preserving Rome’s historic cinemas. It is also addressed directly to President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, urging them to prevent the conversion of these cultural landmarks.
“It’s our duty to transform these abandoned ‘cathedrals in the desert’ into true temples of culture—places capable of nourishing the souls of both present and future generations,” the letter states.
As the vote approaches, the campaign to safeguard Rome’s cinematic heritage is gaining momentum, with the global film community watching closely.
