Woody Allen to create film in Barcelona

Woody Allen to create film in Barcelona

Woody Allen hopes to create a portrait of the northeastern Spanish city of Barcelona on par with his 1979 masterpiece "Manhattan."

The veteran American director said he aimed to picture Barcelona, "the same way I presented Manhattan to the world through my eyes."

Speaking at a news conference in the Catalan capital, Allen said he was to begin filming on July 9.

Barcelona would be the second European city to feature in a full-length Allen movie.

The film, yet to be named, is due to headline Allen's latest muse, Scarlett Johanssen, star of his recent London-based films "Matchpoint" and "Scoop," and Spanish actors Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.

Allen said he looked forward to filming "with great, great enthusiasm."