Workers Occupy Historic Italian Film Studios

Workers have occupied the famous Cinecitta film studios in Rome where classics like "Quo Vadis" and "Cleopatra" were shot in a protest against a major renovation project, trade unionists said on Monday.

"Dozens of workers and artisans will be forced to leave," Alberto Manzini, a regional official from Italy's biggest trade union, CGIL, told Agence France Presse.

"We do not see how this project will develop the studios. It is inconceivable to close something that is part of the culture of this country."

The owners of Cinecitta say the sprawling and ageing structure needs a major overhaul and argue that the global film business means the studio has to be more competitive but they say no jobs will be lost in the renovation.

"Cinecitta workers are occupying the studios to draw attention to an obscure speculation that risks affecting an important sector of our culture and our economy," said Antonio Di Pietro, head of the opposition Italy of Values party.

Manzini said there would be a meeting with officials from the culture ministry on Tuesday but added: "We are not very hopeful about it."