Money from the filmmakers will help repair part of the inventory in Plasy

Plasy (Plzeň Region) - Money for the restoration of part of the inventory is expected to come to the monastery in Plasy in northern Plzeň from the filming of a foreign crew on the site of the monument. Renting the monument to filmmakers is one of the few options to obtain funds for the much-needed restoration given the limited budgets.
    A French-German co-production is preparing a film about the life of French King Henry IV of Navarre. Audiences will see it under the title Henry IV, not only as a feature film in cinemas but also as a two-part film on television, said David Růžička from the Plzeň heritage institute to ČTK.
    Due to filming, the site of the baroque monastery will be closed to the public from September 22 to October 5. The filmmakers have chosen the baroque granary, which will be transformed into a French castle. Filming will also take place in the convent building, which is to be the scene of the royal couple's wedding from 1572 that entered history as the so-called St. Bartholomew's Night, a bloody conflict between Protestants and Catholics. "In front of the granary at the Plasy monastery, the filmmakers will also prepare winter scenes, so passersby might be surprised by the sight of prepared snow," added Růžička.
    The money obtained from filmmakers for the rental of the monastery spaces will help in the restoration of some items. For example, this money should be used to restore baroque paintings and large library cabinets in the monastery, which could enrich the visitor route starting from the next season. Among the restored items will also be the clock faces on the clock tower of the monastery granary. Although the monastery receives state subsidies for the preservation of this significant baroque monument, such as for roof repairs, funds for restoration are lacking. "This is practically one of the few opportunities to obtain money for restoration. We will receive considerable funds from filmmakers considering the annual operating budget," added custodian Pavel Duchoň. He did not want to talk about the specific amount.
    West Bohemian monuments are popular among filmmakers. For example, last year fairy tales were filmed at the castles of Gutštejn and Švihov. The film Les Misérables was shot at the Plasy monastery ten years ago.