'The Weight,' new Ethan Hawke movie set in Oregon, was actually filmed in southern Germany
OregonLive.com • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The film "The Weight," starring Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe, is set in Oregon's rugged wilderness but was primarily shot in southern Germany, around Munich and Viechtach in Bavaria.
- The Bavarian forests and granite mountains served as stand-ins for Oregon’s landscape, despite noticeable differences in tree species to those familiar with the Pacific Northwest.
- Director Padraic McKinley acknowledged the challenge of making Munich resemble 1933 Eugene, Oregon, but cited no direct reason for choosing Germany over Oregon for filming.
- Financial incentives likely influenced the location choice, as Germany offers up to 30% cash grants on production spending from a large federal budget, surpassing Oregon’s smaller state-level rebates and capped production fund.
- The decision reflects a balance between authentic scenery and economic benefits, with Germany’s more substantial film funding playing a key role in the production’s location.
