Action Movie Filming Ban After Paris Attacks

French soldiers outside a synagogue in a suburb of Paris

Authorities are concerned actors filming in police or army uniforms could be mistakenly targeted by
terrorists.

The filming of action movies or police chases has been restricted by authorities in Paris after last month's attacks which left 20 people dead, including three gunmen.

Fearing that actors could be mistaken for police or army officials, filming has been banned in high-profile public places.

"There's a problem with these action-type scenes, as the actors in uniform could be targets for terrorists. Also, the actors could pose confusion for the general public - during this highly sensitive period," Sylvie Barnaud, the police official who grants outside filming permission in Paris, told The Associated Press.

Johansson filmed some scenes for Lucy in Paris

Tensions remain high in the French capital after the Charlie Hebdo magazine attacks in January. Armed police and soldiers are still posted outside sensitive sites, including synagogues, media offices and major shopping areas.

Ms Barnaud said she did not know how long the ban would last. On 16 January, French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the anti-terrorism Vigipirate plan will be maintained in France "as long" as "risk prevails".

The beautiful city has long been a favoured filming location, especially for chase scenes that feature some of the world's most recognisable landmarks. Luc Besson's 2014 box-office hit Lucy, with Scarlett Johansson, features a police chase next to the Louvre - something impossible under the new rules. "Had Luc Besson wanted to film this now, it would be impossible," said William Trillaud, set fixer for the movie.

The same may have been true of 2014's blockbuster Edge Of Tomorrow, which was partly filmed in the French capital, starring Emily Blunt and Tom Cruise.

Several productions have already been disrupted - including one called Flics Tout Simplement (Simply Cops) which was supposed to have a scene with a police officer outside a school.

Scenes with religious sites or schools, both protected under the emergency security plans, are banned."Yes, we were meant to film this scene. But it wasn't allowed. Of course, we have to respect the new rules, and we changed the production plan," said the film unit director Stephan Guillemet.

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