Mixed reaction to Rome pyramid's use in advertising campaign.

The use of Rome's ancient Pyramid of Cestius to promote the release of Kenneth Branagh's new movie Death on the Nile has sparked debate on social media in Italy.

The pyramid, which dates from the first century BC, was illuminated with video-mapping advertising on Thursday night to mark the film's release in Italian cinemas.

“The Eternal City celebrates Death on the Nile” - the producers 20th Century Studios Italia wrote on Twitter - “with an evocative light show on the Pyramid of Cestius, thanks to the support of the Special Superintendency of Rome. Don't miss Kenneth Branagh's film, now in cinemas.”

In a statement published by Italian art website Finestre sull'Arte on Friday, the superintendency said the initiative was "for the launch the film released yesterday in cinemas (a cultural product of a sector, cinema, which is facing a serious crisis)."

Built as a tomb for the powerful Roman magistrate Caius Cestius, the monument underwent a €2 million restoration project in 2013, sponsored by Japanese entrepreneur Yuzo Yagi.

La città eterna celebra #AssassinioSulNilo con un suggestivo spettacolo di luci sulla Piramide Cestia, grazie al supporto della Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma. Non perdere il film di Kenneth Branagh, ora al cinema! pic.twitter.com/5UN2O89vdH— 20th Century Studios Italia (@20thCenturyIT) February 10, 2022