Made Arya Kencana

Julia Roberts on the set of her new movie 'Eat, Pray, Love' in Ubud. (Photo: Made Nagi, EPA)

Indonesia's Tourism Minister Visits Film Set, But Doesn’t Meet Julia Roberts

Perhaps hoping to catch a glimpse of Hollywood superstar Julia Roberts or possibly even speak with her, Minister of Tourism and Culture Jero Wacik visited the sets of “Eat, Pray, Love” on the island of Bali on Monday, where scenes of the movie are being shot.

He didn’t get to meet Roberts, but did speak with veteran Indonesian actress Christine Hakim, who plays a small role in the movie, an adaptation of the Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling memoir, “Eat, Pray, Love.”

Roberts is reportedly scheduled to film today at the famous Monkey Forest in Ubud, which is inhabited by 300 monkeys.

Scenes of the star riding a bicycle amidst monkeys in a forest have reportedly led the film crew to hire “experienced monkey-trainers.”

“The trainers will safeguard the movie crew, including the actress Julia Roberts, from naughty monkeys,” said Wayan Selamet, manager of the Monkey Forest, which has been closed to the general public during the shooting.

The forest administration will receive Rp 10 million ($1,050) in compensation for the filming.

Jero said the shooting of the movie in Bali would boost Indonesian tourism as it captures Bali’s enchanting scenery, and he urged the Balinese people to support the movie-making process.

He added that the recent protests staged by locals had been blown out of proportion.

Jero was referring to a recent demonstration by locals, who were complaining that an earlier-than-scheduled arrival of the film crew had caught them unprepared.

Dozens of trucks and transport cars lined the rice fields of Banjar Bentuyung. In the distance, the unusual sight of movie lights illuminated the location where shooting underway beside a farmhouse in the middle of the fields.

A small number of police and soldiers guarded the filming while a stretch of road in Ubud was blocked off to cars, though motorcycles were allowed through.

Jero added that the general public must understand high security measures were needed during the shooting of the movie in Bali.

“Whenever an international-level event occurs here, the security will be same as it is now,” Jero said.

Christine declined to comment on any aspect of the process of the shooting.

She will reportedly play the role of a medicine woman named Wayan, from whom Roberts will purchase a remedy for the treatment of a wound.

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