Michael Bay vs. An Italian Pigeon
‘6 Undergound’ Director repudiates Pigeons injury reserve status .
Courtesy of Whalebone Magazine
Legendary director Michael Bay, known for ‘Armageddon’ and ‘Bad Boys’, fiercely responded to allegations published in The Wrap on January 12th, 2023. Alledging that during the 2018 production of ‘6 Underground’ in Rome, a homing pigeon was killed by a dolly in the course of a take. You might ask at this point, “how does a situation such as this become a scandal?”
First a little context, in Italy, Pigeons are a protected species. They even put it in ink via a national law making it illegal to harm, kill, or capture any wild bird. Including our buddies the pigeons. The pigeons have some sway in this region of the world because they’re also protected by the E.U. under the Birds Directive.
Well apparently someone on set witnessed the incident and (naturally) decided to take a picture. They weren’t done yet. Next, they reported it to the Italian authorities. A second reported knowledge of the shoot and the involvement of pigeons and a wind machine. I’m guessing when our Benedict Arnold came to the Italian authorities they had no idea who to charge. I have to imagine it’s not every day you arrest someone over a pigeon (all animals are important though). It’s worth mentioning at this point, it’s unclear whether a pigeon actually crossed the great divide, or not.
So who is the CEO of a film shoot? The Director aka our man Michael Bay. According to his Italian lawyer, Fabrizio Sigma, the Italians allege he failed to properly supervise the crew members in charge of handling the animals.
Courtesy of The Giant Freakin Robot
Bay for his part has been working with a legal team, who have tried three different times this past year to have the case thrown out of court. In response, the Italian authorities offered Bay the option to settle with, of course, a small fine. Think he’ll go down that easy? Nope. He declined.
“I was offered by the Italian authorities a chance to settle this matter by paying a small fine, but I declined to do so because I would not plead guilty to having harmed an animal” — Michael Bay
Regarding the incident, Bay has said “We have clear video evidence.” He added “a multitude of witnesses and safety officers that exonerates us from these claims. And disproves their one paparazzi photo — which gives a false story.”
Bay also posted an Instagram railing against The Wrap, and the allegations it published. He reiterated that “In a stunt involving 26 stunt players, 7 cars, 250 crew members, 10 safety officers, 3 Pigeon wranglers, 1 Veterinarian. ALL HOMING PIGEONS arrived home safely!!”
The vexed director added “Most people know I’m a fierce animal activist. This headline for CLICKBAIT, (as the writer told my rep) was shamelessly done for views. We presented 20 witnesses, they provided none to court. If Italy feels so strongly about protecting this bird, maybe should start by taking Pigeon OFF Italian menu’s in certain rumored Italian restaurants.”
I sense angry typing.
At this point, it’s unclear where this situation is headed. Bay and his legal team appear to continue working towards a solution, with no luck. I bet Michael Bay never uses another Piegon in Europe. Because one thing is clear, you don’t mess with European Pigeons’.
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