Written by on Mar 23, 2010. Posted in Production News

New Julia Roberts feature finishes Bali leg of shoot

Julia Roberts’ new feature, Eat Pray Love, has completed the Bali leg of a shoot that’s also encompassing locations in Italy, India and the USA. Based on a true story, the film follows a woman who sets off on a round-the-world trip after a divorce. Co-stars include James Franco and Javier Bardem.

The production chose to shoot in Bali to stay faithful to the final part of the book of the same name upon which the film is based. Filming locations included Padang Beach and Benoa Harbour in Badung District in southern Bali, Kintamani Volacano and Lake Batur in Bangli District in central Bali and Nusa Lembongan Island off the east coast.

Deborah Gabinetti of the Bali Film Center said: “The Bali Film Center together with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Four Seasons Resorts Bali sponsored Producer Stan Wlodkowski’s initial scouting trip. Within two months he returned to Bali with [Director] Ryan Murphy and Dede Gardner (Plan B Entertainment) and in less than a year were back here filming.”

Any security concerns were addressed through Sony’s Senior Vice-President of Corporate Security and Safety, Steven J Bernard, who held meetings with the government to get support for the production. The shoot marked the first time a major film had shot on the island and a 300-strong local crew joined the main production team throughout.

There are no incentives on offer in Bali but the production arranged to have permits and visas from the multinational crew fast-tracked by the government. In addition, nearly 30 tonnes of air freight flown in by the crew had customs fees waived following an agreement with several government agencies including the Ministry of Trade.

Ms Gabinetti added that the production spent three months preparing the Bali shoot: “Preparation is key including securing all the necessary permits and visas.”