Ocean's Twelve: One of Rome’s most exclusive hotels, the Hotel de Russie, became home to the all-star cast and crew of “Ocean’s Twelve” during the movie’s filming in Italy in late May and early June. Nestled in a walled-garden oasis in the heart of Rome, the hotel has a rich history of hosting and entertaining worldwide elite, from Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz and Elton John, to those who have actually inspired names for the famous suites or bar, including Pablo Picasso and composer Igor Stravinskij.

Despite its already stylish, elegant appearance, the Hotel de Russie prepared for “Ocean’s Twelve” A-list celebrity arrivals – including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julia Roberts, Director Steven Soderbergh and Producer Jerry Weintraub – by giving the rooms a “technology makeover” featuring the most advanced home entertainment products available. At Weintraub’s request, televisions in all cast and crew members’ rooms were replaced with Philips 42-inch FlatTVs™ including the new Ambilight™ television, as well as state-of-the-art DVD recorders and other home entertainment equipment for the duration of their stay.

“Ocean’s Twelve” actor George Clooney stayed in the hotel’s Picasso Suite. Although Clooney and the stars have left the Hotel de Russie for their next filming destination, future guests of the Picasso Suite will know what it’s like to live like a star. The suite is still home to the revolutionary FlatTV with Ambilight that was installed for the first time in any hotel worldwide for “Ocean’s Twelve” stars and future guests to enjoy.

Movie Picture
Movie Picture

Ambilight is a unique, active lighting system that analyzes incoming television signals and produces peripheral lighting to match the images and content displayed on the screen. By extending the visual environment with light, Ambilight creates a more relaxing and immersive viewing experience. With this new technology installed, guests of the Picasso Suite can be among the first consumers in the world to watch television shows and movies in literally a whole new light. A Philips DVD Recorder, DVDR77, and copy of “Ocean’s Eleven” also has been left behind in Clooney’s former suite, allowing avid move fans to prepare for the debut of “Ocean’s Twelve” in December 2004. For shutterbugs, the DVDR77 features a memory card slot, allowing guests to play back the day’s digital images on “the big screen,” and burn photos or video onto DVD at the touch of a button.

The exclusive Picasso Suite is situated on the highest floor of the hotel and overlooks the Secret Garden and Pincio. Upon arriving, guests enter a luxurious place with a special atmosphere rich in history and the past where elegance creates a sense of harmony and well being around each guest. Composed of a bedroom, living room, office and a huge terrace, the room is comfortable and provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday Rome. The suite overlooks a sanctuary of peace and green with ancient trees, new lawns and flower beds that feature a Mediterranean look flourishing with orange, red, yellow and white rose bushes that thrive in the Secret Garden.

Royal Philips Electronics announced a few weeks ago that it will be the “official consumer electronics technology supplier” to the film Ocean’s Twelve, currently in production in cities throughout Europe starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac and Julia Roberts. The Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, is a sequel to the 2001 blockbuster Ocean’s Eleven and is produced by Jerry Weintraub and directed by Steven Soderbergh. It will be released in the United States on December 10 and in Europe on December 15.

Philips is supplying a wide variety of products and services to the production ranging from security technologies and state-of-the-art multi-media monitors to home theater systems and the revolutionary FlatTV with Ambilight ™.

Producer Jerry Weintraub commented, “I am very pleased to be associated with Philips Electronics, whose products, design and technology are second to none.”

“We are excited to align with Ocean’s Twelve in a way that enhances the technological aspects of the movie, and highlights Philips’ heritage in innovation and design,” said Royal Philips Electronics CEO, Gerard Kleisterlee. “Philips is a leader in developing intuitive products that enhance the movie viewing experience; therefore, we see this alliance as a natural extension of Philips’ commitment to bringing entertainment to life through smart technology.”

Ocean’s Twelve reunites the entire cast of 2001’s worldwide hit Ocean’s Eleven and welcomes Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones and internationally acclaimed actor Vincent Cassel. The Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, is a sequel to the 2001 blockbuster Ocean’s Eleven and is produced by Jerry Weintraub and directed by Steven Soderbergh. It will be released in the United States on December 10 and in Europe on December 15. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac and Julia Roberts lead the stellar ensemble with Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh behind the camera and Jerry Weintraub producing. Stars Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Elliott Gould, Eddie Jemison and Carl Reiner round out the cast. The film will be executive produced by Susan Ekins, John Hardy and Bruce Berman. The production designer is Philip Messina; the editor is Academy Award winner Stephen Mirrione. The new script is written by George Nolfi. Costumes will be designed by two-time Oscar winner Milena Canonero.