Summary
Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series has become a global phenomenon, inspiring a four-part film saga. This movement from reality into a unique sci-fi universe features real-world filming locations in Germany. Director Francis Lawrence noted the difference in aesthetics between filming in Atlanta and the new locations in Germany and France, which brought a fresh perspective. The dark, authoritarian themes of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 resonate with the political context and history of the filming locations.
From May to June 2014, the film’s cast was spotted shooting scenes around Berlin. The subsequent premiere took place on November 4, 2015, at the Sony Centre in Potsdamer Platz, where devoted fans eagerly awaited the arrival of Jennifer Lawrence (who plays Katniss Everdeen) and the rest of the cast. If you missed witnessing the excitement firsthand, watching the film offers the chance to identify various German filming locations from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.
The former airport turned park, which once served as a refugee shelter and the site of the Berlin Airlift, provided the backdrop for the District 2 battle scenes in Mockingjay – Part 2. The park was designed to resemble a war-ravaged landscape, prompting concern from local residents. Director Lawrence reported that, “All the neighbors here started to panic that the building was being knocked down before the vote even happened… [they were] complaining to the local government.”
Rüdersdorf – District 8
Situated outside of Berlin in the Brandenburg region, the abandoned chemical factory in Rüdersdorf served as an ideal German filming location for Mockingjay – Part 2. This area is abundant in abandoned buildings, making it a fitting backdrop for Katniss and Gale’s attack on the Capitol hovercraft in District 8.
Studio Babelsberg – Sets
As one of the oldest large-scale film studios globally, Babelsberg has been producing cinema since 1912. It has hosted productions like The Reader, Inglourious Basterds, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. The studio also issued a casting call for approximately 1,000 extras to represent the diverse populace of Panem. Consequently, visitors have the opportunity to take tours and explore an amusement park on-site, potentially even catching a sneak peek of ongoing productions.
Das Kraftwerk, Berlin Mitte – Beetee’s Weapons Lab, District 13
Another significant filming location is an old power plant located on Köpenicker Strasse in Mitte, Berlin. This site was used as Beetee’s weapons lab in District 13, given its cavernous and imposing structure, which was difficult to replicate. As Director Lawrence mentioned, “It was actually quite difficult to find environments that felt like they were underground.”
While CG was utilized to enhance certain visuals, the grim ambiance captured on-site closely resembles its portrayal in the film. Since its closure in 1997, the 1960s building remains a massive, cavernous structure.
For those interested in exploring Berlin’s vibrant nightlife, opportunities abound at Tresor, where a variety of concerts, events, and exhibitions frequently take place.
