newsgathers

Leonardo DiCaprio's new movie, \"One Battle After Another,\" distinguishes itself by skillfully portraying diverse American landscapes, successfully avoiding the common pitfall of uninspired, generalized backdrops. Production designer Florencia Martin undertook an extensive two-year scouting mission across California and Texas to unearth genuine locations. This diligent effort resulted in a film that captures a vibrant and authentic visual narrative, ranging from the bustling streets of Sacramento to the serene redwood forests of Humboldt County and the arid deserts along the US-Mexico border. The deliberate choice of these distinct environments enriches the film's storytelling, imbuing it with a sense of realism and geographic diversity that is crucial to the plot's development.

The film's narrative commences near the US-Mexico border, immediately setting a tone of tension and movement. Following this initial sequence, the story shifts to an undisclosed city, a hub for the French 75, the group at the center of the film's conflict. This urban setting, a canvas for bank robberies and explosions, is revealed to be Sacramento, California's state capital. Florencia Martin specifically chose Sacramento because of its underrepresentation in cinema, aside from \"Lady Bird.\" The city's brutalist architecture, including courthouses and Capitol Mall, provided an ideal backdrop for the action-packed sequences, notably facilitating car chases and a practical explosion at a bank. The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel's exterior also served as a filming location, seamlessly integrating into the film's urban tapestry.

As the plot unfolds and circumstances turn unfavorable for the French 75, Bob, portrayed by DiCaprio, escapes with his infant daughter, Willa, to Baktan Cross, a fictional location that ingeniously merges the characteristics of Humboldt County, California, and El Paso, Texas. The Humboldt County segment features Bob and Willa's secluded dwelling nestled among ancient redwoods. Martin explained that this setting was chosen to reflect the historical retreat of revolutionaries, akin to the Weather Underground, who sought refuge and established new lives in such isolated areas. The production team meticulously searched for a cottage that evoked a sense of timelessness, suggesting Bob's initial aspirations to create elaborate escape routes, which ultimately proved unnecessary until their unexpected need. Key scenes in Humboldt County include Bob's frantic phone call from Murphy's Market in Eureka, Willa's high school dance filmed at the actual Eureka High School, and her karate dojo, inspired by a local Eureka establishment, though ultimately recreated in El Paso.

Later in the film, Bob ventures into the downtown area of Baktan Cross, a stark urban contrast to his peaceful refuge. This segment was filmed extensively in El Paso, Texas, a city located directly on the US-Mexico border. Martin highlighted the local community's excitement about seeing their city on screen, underscoring El Paso's fresh cinematic appeal. Amidst a riot, Bob navigates the city undetected, leading viewers on a comprehensive tour of the Sunset Heights neighborhood, exploring its rooftops and intricate back alleys. Martin described Sunset Heights as a historic area, rich in culture, with generations of Mexican families operating businesses like flower shops, party stores, and perfumeries. The Perfumeria Genesis, in particular, served as a pivotal location, with its second floor being transformed into Sensei's family apartment, showcasing the production's ability to adapt existing structures to fit the film's narrative.

The film's climactic desert chase sequence, characterized by a road that dramatically ascends and descends, was filmed in Borrego Springs, California, and ingeniously blended with other nearby locales. Michael, the supervising location manager, initially led the team to a significant road that, while not used in the final cut, opened their eyes to the vast potential of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, Ocotillo Wells, and Blythe. This exploration led them to the remote location for the French 76 camp at the beginning of the film, chosen for its arid landscape and its symbolic representation of the border's stark natural division. Martin recounted the pivotal discovery of the desert highway during their return trip from Blythe to Borrego Springs. The road's unique topography, with its dramatic ascents and descents, instantly resonated as an 'aha' moment. This natural feature was then seamlessly combined with the Texas Dip in Borrego Springs and a striking rock outcropping known as 'The Reef' in Anza Borrego, illustrating the desert's inherent flexibility for filmmaking.

\"One Battle After Another\" masterfully utilizes a diverse array of real-world locations across California and Texas to construct a compelling and authentic cinematic experience. Through the vision of production designer Florencia Martin, the film transcends the generic, transforming ordinary American settings into dynamic backdrops that profoundly enhance the narrative's emotional and dramatic impact. The detailed selection and integration of these sites, from urban centers to remote natural landscapes, underscore the film's commitment to visual authenticity and its ability to weave a rich, geographically varied tapestry that supports its complex story.