CODA is a 2021 coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed and written by Sian Heder. This movie is an English remake of the 2014 French-Belgian film La Famille Bélier. It stars Emilia Jones as Ruby Rossi, a child of deaf adults (CODA) and the only hearing member of her family. Ruby tries to help her family’s struggling fishing business while dreaming of becoming a singer. The story is set in a New England fishing village, making people wonder where the film was actually shot.
Where was “CODA” Filmed?
CODA was filmed in Gloucester, a fishing village in Massachusetts. This location adds a lot of authenticity to the movie’s depiction of the family’s life as fishermen. The filming took place in the middle of 2019.

Why Gloucester?
Director Sian Heder grew up visiting Boston’s North Shore with her family. She immediately thought of Gloucester as the perfect setting for her film. According to WBUR, she chose Gloucester because “it is both very picturesque and classic New England, but also has a working-class feel to it.” Her familiarity with the area allowed her to include real details about the town.

Some locals from Gloucester were part of the film. Fisherman Paul Vitale, who has been fishing in Gloucester for 24 years, lent his boat and fishing knowledge to the production. Sian even used some shots of Paul in the movie.
Local businessman Sam Parisi and Gloucester’s harbormaster also appear in the film. Their presence adds a local touch to the movie while keeping the story relatable to everyone.

Local Bar and Community
Nick Pratt, who owns a local bar called Pratty’s, said that Sian’s attention to detail was evident during filming. “Even for a short scene, you could see the passion in making this movie,” he told Northshore magazine. “You could tell the director cared a lot about what she was creating.”

Cast Experience
Emilia Jones shared that the cast felt very close during the filming. “Marlee’s an amazing cook, so on weekends, she would invite Troy, Daniel, and me over for dinner,” she told Vogue. “We’d watch football and play games. I’ve honestly never felt so close to castmates before.”

CODA’s filming in Gloucester brings a genuine feel to the story, making it a memorable experience for both the cast and the locals.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – CODA
Q: Where was CODA filmed?
A: CODA was filmed in the fishing village of Gloucester in Massachusetts. This location was chosen to accurately represent the New England setting of the film and add authenticity to the story of Ruby’s family and their fishing life.
Q: When was CODA filmed?
A: The filming of CODA took place in the middle of 2019. Director Sian Heder chose this time to capture the true essence of Gloucester and its fishing community.
Q: When was CODA released?
A: CODA was released on August 13, 2021. It premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival before its general release.
Q: Why was Gloucester chosen as a filming location for CODA?
A: Gloucester was chosen because director Sian Heder had visited Boston’s North Shore as a child. She felt Gloucester’s picturesque and working-class character perfectly matched the film’s setting and story.
Q: How did local people contribute to the filming of CODA?
A: Local residents played a significant role in the film. Fisherman Paul Vitale lent his boat and expertise, and local businessman Sam Parisi and the city’s harbormaster also appeared in the movie, adding authenticity to the film’s portrayal of Gloucester.