Matrix party ‘disguised as film shoot’ to bypass German Covid rules
German health authorities say they decide to speak to the studio where the newest Matrix film was shot after a celebration allegedly attended by the Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves was held to mark the top of filming, despite coronavirus restrictions
About 200 people were at the party disguised as a movie shoot, with the guests invited to return as extras in a clear plan to bypass health regulations, consistent with the German tabloid Bild
Parties of up to 50 people are allowed in Berlin and therefore the neighbouring state of Brandenburg, where the party reportedly happened at the Babelsberg film studios, west of the Berlin . But they need to be registered beforehand along side the submission of a “hygiene concept” that has got to be approved by authorities. Guests need to abide by distancing rules, and to wear a mask when not eating and drinking
A 39-year-old female guest at the party told Bild: “The mood was exuberant. Everyone was given a corona PCR test beforehand . Everyone needed to return wearing a mask but many of us didn’t wear them because the party wore on.”
She added: “No directorial instructions got , there was no clapperboard and nobody was filming.”
The party, hosted by producers Lana and Lilly Wachowski was codenamed “Icecream Teamevent” consistent with the paper, quoting sources, and began at 6pm on Wednesday and went on into the first hours of Thursday
Guests were entertained by a dancer, a DJ, and a pyrotechnic show, and were invited to urge souvenir Matrix tattoos. Refreshments included sushi, sake, pizza, currywurst (curried sausage, a Berlin speciality) and vegan chocolate apricot cake. Bedouin-style tents and hippy-style caravans were available for guests who wanted more privacy
Reeves and his partner, the artist Alexandra Grant, were sat at a table drinking wine, and left early within the evening, reported Bild
Bianca Markarewicz, spokeswoman for Studio Babelsberg, said consistent with the producers of the Matrix franchise, the film team was shooting a “celebration scene, which was filmed within the summer, and this was in reference to that. The hygiene regulations were complied with.”
She added: “The production team consciously put this shoot with its many participants, right at the top of the filming.”
A spokesman for the town of Potsdam, which is liable for giving permission for parties to travel ahead, said: “No event was announced to us. there have been ongoing discussions between the health authority and therefore the studios on the subject of infection protection during filming.”
He said the health authority would be lecture the studio
The faintest whiff of bad publicity would be the foremost Reeves has received in a while , having become that rare thing, a comparatively scandal-free Hollywood celebrity. His introverted personality and beauty with fans have earned him the nickname “the internet’s boyfriend”.
Earlier this year, he helped arrange a van after a flight he was on in California got stranded, and was filmed reading aloud to the passengers on the journey. The actor Octavia Spencer also said he once helped push her car when it broke down. “What Would Keanu Reeves Do?” may be a popular slogan on unofficial merchandise
Reeves also attracted praise for having a supposedly “age-appropriate relationship” after it had been revealed that the actor, 56, was dating Grant, who is 47
Filming on Matrix 4 was interrupted in March thanks to the coronavirus pandemic but resumed again in Berlin in August. it's scheduled for release in December 2021