buon pastore

Between Via di Bravetta and Via Silvestri, sits the monumental neo-Baroque Buon Pastore suburban complex. Built by Architect Armando Brasini between 1929 and 1943, the intricate system of buildings was initially a convent, then it became an orphanage, a hospital and later hosted a military hospice. Some say it was even a questionable asylum for little girls and a prostitute sanatorium. Today it's home to three important high schools. Whatever the destination, bars and strange vibes still remain...

The Buon Pastore has often lent its eery and majestic structure to cinema. Pierpaolo Pasolini, Dario Argento and many other filmmakers have used this place in their movies. Last week I shot here for the first time, but many of my colleagues had filmed here before. It was an astounding discovery to learn of this place, only a few miles from the more famous Roman landmarks.
Among other locations within the complex, we used the central courtyard for the concert scene in a TV movie that will air overseas at the beginning of 2011.