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John DeCesaro's avatar

"Sometimes it's even better if you don't." Bingo. Sam Elliott is owed the right to an opinion on the fidelity of movie settings, but there is certainly a worthy discussion to be had about the value of intentionally introducing dissonance through settings and shooting locations. Campion's New Zealand stand-in gives her movie an other-worldly quality that amps up the tension and the internal and external isolation of the characters. It works BECAUSE it is shot where it was shot.

I also think of Lars von Trier, who has made a series of fantastic movies about America that were not set in America. Heck, von Trier is on record as having never been to the United States. Something about that remove makes the cultural critiques and tone of his films more potent.

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Edward Hegstrom's avatar

I think the United States could have its own rankings based on how convincingly the location used represents the location allegedly depicted. The Searchers is a great movie, but when the opening title says TEXAS 1868, then immediately shows us Monument Valley, there's a bit of disconnect. Similarly, any movie that claims to be taking place in Montana or Utah but winds up shooting in Bronson Cavern is immediately disappointing, mostly because Bronson Cavern should be used strictly as a hiding place for monsters in Roger Corman pictures.

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