Natalie Portman, one of Hollywood's most renowned actresses in recent times, might see her latest project in jeopardy, a movie filmed in her natal Jerusalem.
According to Variety magazine's website, a group of ultra-orthodox Jewish residents of the religious Nahlaot neighborhood in Jerusalem, have requested the city's city hall to prevent actress Natalie Portman from filming a movie in the area.
"The filming of the movie would take place in various sensible streets close to synagogues and yeshivas, which is why the filmed scenes must be examined in the first place to make sure they don't offend anyone's sensibilities," reads a letter from the residents of the municipality, quoted by Israeli newspaper The Times of Israel.
32-year-old Natalie Portman, who was born in Jerusalem and speaks Hebrew fluently and has a both American and Israeli citizenships, has been the target of protests by residents of Nahlaot since Monday, when filming for her new movie began in various parts of the city.
The Academy Award winner is currently in the holy city to film her debut as a director, "A Tale of Love and Darkness", a film based on the biographical work of Israeli writer Amos Oz, a film that has support from both the Jerusalem Development Authority and city hall.
In recent months, the actress has travelled back and forth to her native Israel to organize the details of her new movie, and which, besides directing, she plays Oz' mother, in a project that has received the support of the iconic Israeli writer.
On their part, Variety highlighted the report of various incidents which took place in the city's neighborhoods, in which a series of graffiti showed up, reading "foreign invasion", in reference to the film's shooting, despite that authorities assuring the residents that the actors and members of the production staff would dress "correctly".
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