‘Welcome to Marwen’ is a heartwarming yet poignant fantasy drama directed by Robert Zemeckis. It tells the story of Mark Hogancamp, a man trying to rebuild his life after suffering a traumatic assault. Mark creates a miniature World War II-era village in his backyard, called Marwen, to help him cope with his PTSD and memory loss. This unique blend of fantasy and reality in the movie brings to life Mark’s imaginative world alongside his painful experiences. Let’s explore the filming locations that helped bring this extraordinary story to the screen.
Where Was ‘Welcome to Marwen’ Filmed?
The movie was filmed in various locations across British Columbia, Canada, including Vancouver, Coquitlam, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Maple Ridge, and Langley. Principal photography for ‘Welcome to Marwen’ began on August 14, 2017, and wrapped up on October 19, 2017. The filmmakers chose British Columbia for its diverse settings, which provided the perfect backdrop to replicate Mark’s world in New York. Here’s a detailed look at the specific places where the film was shot.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver was the primary filming location for ‘Welcome to Marwen.’ Known for its stunning cityscape and versatile filming locations, Vancouver offered a perfect stand-in for the New York setting of the movie. One notable location was Railway Street in downtown Vancouver. This street was transformed to represent Pillar’s Gallery in New York, where Mark’s first photographic exhibition of his fantasy village takes place. The gallery scenes, which play a significant role in showcasing Mark’s intricate work, were shot in a refurbished building on Railway Street.
Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Coquitlam, roughly 32 kilometers from Vancouver, provided several key backdrops for the film. The Riverview Hospital, an ancient mental health hospital located at 2601 Lougheed Highway in Coquitlam, was utilized to illustrate the rehabilitation center where Mark is treated. The hospital’s old and slightly creepy design complemented the scenes illustrating Mark’s mental health difficulties. The usage of Riverview Hospital provided realism and depth to Mark’s story of therapy and recovery.
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Abbotsford, another key filming location, is where Mark’s house and neighborhood were recreated. Specifically, McTavish Road in Abbotsford was used to represent the setting of Mark’s residence and the magical world of Marwen he built in his backyard. The production team constructed the exterior of Mark’s home and Nicol’s house next door. Several important scenes, including Mark’s interactions with his neighbor Nicol and his confrontations with Kurt, were filmed here. The realistic portrayal of Mark’s home life added a touching and intimate layer to the narrative.
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Burnaby played an important role in filming Mark’s house interiors and the stop-motion animation of his dolls. Bridge Studios, located at 7705 Griffiths Drive in Burnaby, supplied the necessary facilities. The studio, noted for its vast soundstages, allowed the filmmakers to precisely create the interiors of Mark and Nicol’s residences. The motion-capture technology that brought Mark’s toys to life was also used here. The advanced setup at Bridge Studios allowed the animation and live-action sequences to merge flawlessly, adding to the film’s dreamlike realism.
Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
Maple Ridge was used to film sequences that included Mark’s part-time employment at the Avalanche Roadhouse. The Avalanche Roadhouse, a key site in the film, was recreated by an empty building on Dewdney Trunk Road in Maple Ridge. The crew established the scene for Mark’s encounters with his pals Carlala and Larry, as well as the tragic events that profoundly affected him. This setting was crucial in portraying the darker aspects of Mark’s history, which gradually emerge throughout the film.
Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Finally, Fort Langley, a lovely village within Langley, was chosen to portray Al’s Hobby House, an important stop on Mark’s journey. In the film, Mark spends his time immersed in his pastime, looking at miniatures and gaining ideas for his imaginary world. J&J Hobbies in Kingston, New York, served as the inspiration for this location. For the film, an antique store on a busy thoroughfare in Fort Langley was transformed into Al’s Hobby House, lending a quaint and nostalgic feel to the scenes involving Mark’s creative process.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Welcome to Marwen
Q: Where was ‘Welcome to Marwen’ filmed?
A: ‘Welcome to Marwen’ was primarily filmed in various locations across British Columbia, Canada. The key filming locations included Vancouver, Coquitlam, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Maple Ridge, and Langley. These areas were chosen for their diverse landscapes, which helped replicate the look and feel of Mark Hogancamp’s community in New York, the setting of the film.
Q: What are the specific filming locations in British Columbia for ‘Welcome to Marwen’?
A: In British Columbia, specific filming locations for ‘Welcome to Marwen’ included:
- Vancouver: Key locations in Vancouver, such as Railway Street in the downtown area, were used to represent settings like Pillar’s Gallery in New York.
- Coquitlam: Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam stood in for the rehabilitation facility where Mark seeks treatment.
- Abbotsford: McTavish Road in Abbotsford depicted Mark’s house and the magical world of Marwen he created.
- Burnaby: Interior scenes of Mark’s house and the stop-motion animation of his dolls were filmed at Bridge Studios in Burnaby.
- Maple Ridge: Dewdney Trunk Road in Maple Ridge was used for scenes involving Mark’s part-time job at the Avalanche Roadhouse.
- Langley: An antique store in Fort Langley was transformed to portray Al’s Hobby House.
Q: When did the filming of ‘Welcome to Marwen’ start and end?
A: Filming for ‘Welcome to Marwen’ started on August 14, 2017, and concluded on October 19, 2017. The shooting spanned over two months, during which various British Columbia locations were used to bring the film’s settings to life.
Q: Why was British Columbia chosen as the filming location for ‘Welcome to Marwen’?
A: British Columbia was chosen for its various and diversified landscapes, which well represented the New York location in Mark Hogancamp’s novel. The province has a variety of urban and suburban settings that could convincingly represent different aspects of Mark’s world. Furthermore, British Columbia is a popular production location due to its film-friendly legislation and skilled local crew.
Q: When was ‘Welcome to Marwen’ released in theaters?
A: ‘Welcome to Marwen’ was released in theaters on December 21, 2018.
