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Shooting for lavish Hollywood films usually attracts curious looks - especially in Los Angeles, the capital of the American film industry.
But in the historic district of Angelino Heights, residents are angry.
Dozens took to the streets on Friday to protest the tenth Fast and Furious movie.
Demonstrators: »Kill street races! Race on a racetrack! Film in the studio!«
Many people here are fed up with the illegal car racing and dangerous stunts that the criticized film series is famous for, and which fans mimic with their cars at the original film locations almost every day.
Bella, resident:
“We can't even leave our children outside the house because they're scared. Because we are afraid of cars going out of control, throwing them onto our property or onto our children. That's not possible! It's not safe for the children to cross the street anymore."
Amateur recordings from January show the dangerous and, above all, loud driving maneuvers at an intersection in LA Unknown people are turning their cars in circles, so-called donuts, in the middle of the night.
They temporarily take over the entire intersection and impede traffic.
The nocturnal noise is only one of many problems for the residents.
For them it is a matter of life and death.
Lori Argumedo, aunt of a traffic fatality:
“Bethany was 23 years old. She still had her whole life ahead of her. She had a six year old daughter. On Mother's Day I had to identify my niece's body. I had to tell her six year old daughter that her mom is never coming home. She still doesn't understand that Mom will never come home again. This is the reality of street racing: people lose their lives. I did her makeup for her funeral instead of her wedding."
Dozens of people gathered in front of the sealed off film set on Friday, confronting not only the film production company but also drivers.
Original sound: »People die from many things. It's just a movie. This is Hollywood. Get used to it. I need to wash my car now so I can make some donuts. See you later."
Abraham, driver:
'It's the capital of the entertainment industry. This is Hollywood. They're going to make films, so... Films influence a lot of things. I kind of understand that, but let the people do it.«
In the vicinity of the most famous film locations, the traces of daring driving maneuvers cannot be overlooked.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, a total of 300 people died in traffic accidents last year – 21 percent more than the year before.
The number of injured rose by 30 percent.
According to the authorities, this number is not only related to street racing, but illegal street takeovers are becoming more common.
Sometimes thousands of people prevent the police from identifying the motorists and taking action against them.
Damian Kevitt, Streets Are For Everyone:
“This community has been asking for something to be done for years. The area has become a tourist destination for street racing since the first Fast and Furious film. And the films are being shot here again. (...)«
According to local residents, there were no street races in the neighborhood prior to the filming.
The demonstrators see the production company NBC Universal as having a duty to assume social responsibility.
So far, she has not commented on the allegations.
Damian Kevitt, Streets Are For Everyone:
“We want them to care about the communities in real life, not just on a website, in words. And that they contain the consequences and take effective measures to deal with the growing problem. They help to glorify it.«
Street racing and daring stunts are hallmarks of the »Fast« film series.
Since the first part "The Fast and the Furious" in 2001, it has become one of the most successful action franchises of all time.
The nine films so far have grossed over US$ 6.6 billion worldwide.