Where Was Machine Gun Preacher Filmed?
Machine Gun Preacher is a 2011 biographical drama film directed by Marc Forster and starring Gerard Butler, Michael Shannon, and Michelle Monaghan. The film tells the story of Sam Childers, a former drug dealer and gang member who became a Christian missionary in Sudan and founded an orphanage for child soldiers.
The film was shot on location in South Africa, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The South African locations included Johannesburg, Soweto, and the Eastern Cape. The Ugandan locations included Kampala and Gulu. The Congolese locations included Goma and Bukavu.
The film’s production was challenging due to the harsh conditions in the countries where it was shot. The cast and crew had to contend with extreme heat, rain, and mud. They also had to deal with the threat of violence from rebel groups.
Despite the challenges, the film’s production was a success. The film was critically acclaimed and was a commercial success. It grossed over $40 million worldwide.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the filming locations of Machine Gun Preacher. We will explore the challenges that the cast and crew faced and how they overcame them. We will also discuss the impact that the film had on the countries where it was shot.
| Location | Scenes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nicaragua | Opening scene | Filming took place in the city of Granada. |
| South Africa | Rest of the film | Filming took place in the cities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch. |
Main Filming Locations
The main filming locations for Machine Gun Preacher were Uganda, South Sudan, and Kenya.
Uganda
The majority of the film was shot in Uganda, specifically in the capital city of Kampala and the surrounding areas. The film’s director, Marc Forster, wanted to shoot the film in Uganda because he felt that it was the best place to capture the film’s raw and authentic feel. He also wanted to show the beauty of Uganda to the world.
The film’s main character, Sam Childers, was born in Uganda and grew up in the country. He returned to Uganda after he was discharged from the U.S. Army in order to help children who had been abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The LRA is a rebel group that has been responsible for the abduction and murder of thousands of children in Uganda. Childers founded an organization called Child Soldiers International in order to help these children.
The film’s filming locations in Uganda included the following:
- Kampala
- Gulu
- Kitgum
- Pader
- Soroti
South Sudan
Some of the film’s scenes were also shot in South Sudan. The film’s director, Marc Forster, wanted to shoot some of the film in South Sudan in order to show the contrast between Uganda and South Sudan. Uganda is a relatively stable country, while South Sudan is a war-torn country. Forster wanted to show the impact of the war on the people of South Sudan.
The film’s filming locations in South Sudan included the following:
- Juba
- Yei River State
- Torit
- Jonglei State
Kenya
A few of the film’s scenes were also shot in Kenya. The film’s director, Marc Forster, wanted to shoot some of the film in Kenya in order to show the diversity of Africa. Kenya is a country with a rich culture and history. Forster wanted to show this to the world.
The film’s filming locations in Kenya included the following:
- Nairobi
- Maasai Mara
- Tsavo National Park
Additional Filming Locations
In addition to the main filming locations in Uganda, South Sudan, and Kenya, the film also had some additional filming locations in the United States, Canada, and South Africa.
United States
Some of the film’s scenes were shot in the United States, specifically in the following cities:
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- New York City
The film’s director, Marc Forster, wanted to shoot some of the film in the United States in order to show the contrast between the United States and Africa. The United States is a wealthy and developed country, while Africa is a poor and developing continent. Forster wanted to show how different these two worlds are.
Canada
Some of the film’s scenes were also shot in Canada, specifically in the following cities:
- Toronto
- Vancouver
The film’s director, Marc Forster, wanted to shoot some of the film in Canada in order to take advantage of the country’s beautiful scenery. Canada is a country with a wide variety of landscapes, from mountains to forests to lakes. Forster wanted to show this to the world.
South Africa
A few of the film’s scenes were also shot in South Africa, specifically in the following cities:
- Cape Town
- Johannesburg
The film’s director, Marc Forster, wanted to shoot some of the film in South Africa in order to show the diversity of Africa. South Africa is a country with a rich culture and history. Forster wanted to show this to the world.
The film Machine Gun Preacher was filmed in a variety of locations in Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, the United States, Canada, and South Africa. The film’s director, Marc Forster, wanted to show the contrast between the different worlds that the film’s characters inhabit. He also wanted to show the beauty of Africa and the impact of the war on the people of South Sudan.
Where Was Machine Gun Preacher Filmed?
Machine Gun Preacher was filmed in South Africa, Uganda, and the United States. The film’s director, Marc Forster, chose to shoot in South Africa because of its diverse landscape and its proximity to Uganda, where much of the film’s action takes place. The film’s production team also built a number of sets in South Africa, including the orphanage that Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) runs in Uganda.
The film’s opening scene, which takes place in Uganda, was shot in the town of Jinja. The scene where Sam Childers rescues the children from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) was filmed in the village of Namanve. The scene where Sam Childers confronts Joseph Kony (Idris Elba) was filmed in the town of Mbarara.
The film’s production team also shot a number of scenes in the United States, including the scenes that take place in Sam Childers’ hometown of Bradenton, Florida. The film’s final scene, which takes place in Uganda, was also filmed in the United States.
Notable Scenes
The opening scene of Machine Gun Preacher is one of the most memorable in the film. The scene takes place in Uganda, and it shows the LRA abducting a group of children. The scene is both heartbreaking and terrifying, and it sets the tone for the rest of the film.
Another notable scene in Machine Gun Preacher is the one where Sam Childers rescues the children from the LRA. This scene is both heartwarming and inspiring, and it shows the lengths that Sam Childers is willing to go to save the children.
The final notable scene in Machine Gun Preacher is the one where Sam Childers confronts Joseph Kony. This scene is both tense and suspenseful, and it shows the determination of Sam Childers to bring Kony to justice.
Behind-the-Scenes Facts
Machine Gun Preacher was shot over the course of six months. The film’s cast and crew faced many challenges while filming, including extreme weather conditions and dangerous situations.
One of the biggest challenges that the cast and crew faced was the extreme heat and humidity in Uganda. The temperatures in Uganda can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity can be even higher. The cast and crew had to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks to avoid heatstroke.
Another challenge that the cast and crew faced was the dangerous situations in Uganda. The LRA is a violent rebel group that has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. The cast and crew had to be careful not to put themselves in danger while filming in Uganda.
Despite the challenges, the cast and crew of Machine Gun Preacher were able to create a powerful and moving film. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it has been praised for its realism and its powerful message.
Machine Gun Preacher is a powerful and moving film that tells the story of Sam Childers, a former drug dealer who became a Christian missionary and founded an orphanage in Uganda. The film is a reminder that even in the midst of war and violence, there is still hope.
Q: Where was Machine Gun Preacher filmed?
A: Machine Gun Preacher was filmed in South Africa, Mozambique, and the United States.
Q: Why was Machine Gun Preacher filmed in South Africa, Mozambique, and the United States?
A: The film was shot in South Africa, Mozambique, and the United States for a variety of reasons. South Africa was chosen as a filming location because it offers a variety of landscapes and climates that could be used to represent the different settings in the film. Mozambique was chosen because it is a country that has been affected by war and poverty, and the filmmakers wanted to accurately portray the challenges that people in this region face. The United States was chosen as a filming location because it is the home of the character’s family, and the filmmakers wanted to show how the character’s experiences in Africa affected his life back home.
Q: What are some of the specific locations in South Africa, Mozambique, and the United States where Machine Gun Preacher was filmed?
A: Some of the specific locations in South Africa, Mozambique, and the United States where Machine Gun Preacher was filmed include:
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Mozambique
- Los Angeles, California
- New York City, New York
Q: How long did it take to film Machine Gun Preacher?
A: Machine Gun Preacher was filmed over a period of approximately six months.
Q: What was the budget for Machine Gun Preacher?
A: The budget for Machine Gun Preacher was approximately $20 million.
Q: What was the critical reception of Machine Gun Preacher?
A: Machine Gun Preacher received mixed reviews from critics. Some critics praised the film for its powerful performances, its realistic portrayal of war and poverty, and its inspiring message of hope. However, other critics criticized the film for its simplistic portrayal of the complex issues of war and religion, and for its lack of historical accuracy.
Q: What was the commercial performance of Machine Gun Preacher?
A: Machine Gun Preacher was a commercial disappointment, grossing only $16 million worldwide against its $20 million budget.
Machine Gun Preacher was filmed in South Africa, Namibia, and Mozambique. The film’s director, Marc Forster, chose these locations for their stunning landscapes and diverse cultures. The film follows the story of Timothy Olyphant’s character, Sam Childers, as he travels to Africa to help children who have been affected by war. The film’s cinematography is breathtaking, and the performances are powerful. Machine Gun Preacher is a moving and inspiring film that sheds light on the plight of children in war-torn countries.