Where Was the Movie Glass Filmed: A Journey Through Cinematic Landscapes and Unrelated Musings

The 2019 psychological superhero thriller Glass, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, is the final installment in the Eastrail 177 Trilogy, following Unbreakable (2000) and Split (2016). The film, which brings together characters from the previous two movies, was primarily filmed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a city that has become synonymous with Shyamalan’s work. However, the filming locations of Glass are more than just backdrops; they are integral to the narrative and thematic depth of the movie. This article explores the filming locations of Glass, delves into the significance of these settings, and meanders into some loosely related, whimsical musings about the nature of storytelling and reality.

The Primary Filming Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, often referred to as the “City of Brotherly Love,” has been a recurring setting in Shyamalan’s films. The director, who grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, has a deep connection to the city, and this is evident in the way he uses its urban landscape to create a sense of familiarity and unease. Glass was filmed in various locations across Philadelphia, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry, and the streets of North Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

One of the most iconic locations in Glass is the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The museum’s grand staircase, famously known as the “Rocky Steps” due to their appearance in the Rocky films, serves as a key setting in Glass. The museum’s neoclassical architecture and imposing presence make it an ideal location for the film’s climactic scenes. The juxtaposition of the museum’s high culture with the film’s gritty, psychological tension creates a striking visual contrast that underscores the themes of duality and identity that run throughout the movie.

The Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry

Another significant filming location is the Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry, a now-abandoned psychiatric hospital. The hospital’s decaying buildings and eerie atmosphere provide the perfect backdrop for the film’s exploration of mental illness and the blurred lines between reality and delusion. The use of this location adds a layer of authenticity to the film, as the hospital’s history of housing patients with severe mental illnesses mirrors the struggles of the characters in Glass.

North Philadelphia

The streets of North Philadelphia also play a crucial role in the film. The neighborhood’s urban grit and raw energy are captured in several key scenes, particularly those involving the character of Elijah Price, also known as Mr. Glass. The use of real locations in North Philadelphia adds a sense of realism to the film, grounding the fantastical elements of the story in a recognizable, tangible world.

The Significance of Filming Locations in Glass

The choice of filming locations in Glass is not arbitrary; each location is carefully selected to enhance the film’s themes and narrative. Philadelphia, with its rich history and diverse neighborhoods, serves as a microcosm of the film’s exploration of identity, power, and the human condition. The city’s architecture, from the grandeur of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the decay of the Byberry Hospital, reflects the internal struggles of the characters and the duality of their existence.

The Role of Architecture in Storytelling

Architecture plays a crucial role in Glass, both as a visual element and as a narrative device. The film’s use of contrasting architectural styles—ranging from the neoclassical grandeur of the museum to the brutalist decay of the hospital—mirrors the internal conflicts of the characters. The museum, with its clean lines and orderly structure, represents the surface-level reality that the characters inhabit, while the hospital, with its crumbling walls and chaotic layout, symbolizes the darker, more complex truths that lie beneath.

The Intersection of Reality and Fiction

The filming locations in Glass also blur the line between reality and fiction, a theme that is central to the film. By using real locations, Shyamalan creates a sense of verisimilitude that draws the audience into the story. At the same time, the film’s use of these locations in unexpected ways—such as the museum’s transformation into a battleground—challenges the audience’s perceptions of reality and forces them to question what is real and what is imagined.

Unrelated Musings: The Nature of Storytelling and Reality

While the filming locations of Glass are integral to the film’s narrative, they also invite us to reflect on the nature of storytelling and reality. In a world where the boundaries between fact and fiction are increasingly blurred, how do we distinguish between the two? And what role do physical spaces play in shaping our understanding of the stories we tell?

The Power of Place in Narrative

The power of place in narrative cannot be overstated. Just as the filming locations in Glass serve to enhance the film’s themes, the settings of our own stories—whether real or imagined—shape the way we experience and interpret them. The places we inhabit, both physically and mentally, influence our perceptions of the world and our place within it. In this sense, the filming locations of Glass are not just backdrops; they are active participants in the story, shaping the characters and the narrative in profound ways.

The Blurring of Reality and Fiction

The blurring of reality and fiction is a theme that resonates deeply in our contemporary world. With the rise of digital media and virtual reality, the line between what is real and what is imagined has become increasingly porous. Glass challenges us to confront this ambiguity, forcing us to question the nature of our own reality. Are we, like the characters in the film, living in a world where the boundaries between fact and fiction are constantly shifting? And if so, how do we navigate this uncertain terrain?

The Role of the Audience in Shaping Reality

Finally, the filming locations of Glass remind us of the role of the audience in shaping reality. Just as the characters in the film are shaped by their environment, so too are we shaped by the stories we consume. The places we visit, whether in real life or through the medium of film, influence our perceptions and beliefs, shaping the way we see the world and our place within it. In this sense, the filming locations of Glass are not just settings; they are mirrors, reflecting back to us our own fears, desires, and uncertainties.

Conclusion

The filming locations of Glass are more than just backdrops; they are integral to the film’s narrative and thematic depth. From the grandeur of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the decay of the Byberry Hospital, each location serves to enhance the film’s exploration of identity, power, and the human condition. At the same time, these locations invite us to reflect on the nature of storytelling and reality, challenging us to question the boundaries between fact and fiction. In the end, the filming locations of Glass are not just places; they are portals, inviting us to step into a world where the line between reality and imagination is constantly shifting.

Related Q&A

Q: Why did M. Night Shyamalan choose Philadelphia as the primary filming location for Glass?

A: M. Night Shyamalan has a deep connection to Philadelphia, having grown up in the suburbs of the city. He often uses Philadelphia as a setting in his films because of its rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and unique architecture, all of which contribute to the thematic depth of his stories.

Q: How did the Philadelphia Museum of Art contribute to the film’s narrative?

A: The Philadelphia Museum of Art, with its grand staircase and neoclassical architecture, serves as a key setting in Glass. The museum’s imposing presence and cultural significance create a striking visual contrast with the film’s gritty, psychological tension, underscoring the themes of duality and identity.

Q: What role does the Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry play in the film?

A: The Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry, an abandoned psychiatric hospital, provides an eerie and authentic backdrop for the film’s exploration of mental illness and the blurred lines between reality and delusion. The hospital’s history of housing patients with severe mental illnesses mirrors the struggles of the characters in Glass.

Q: How do the filming locations in Glass blur the line between reality and fiction?

A: By using real locations in unexpected ways, such as transforming the Philadelphia Museum of Art into a battleground, Glass challenges the audience’s perceptions of reality and forces them to question what is real and what is imagined. This blurring of reality and fiction is a central theme of the film.

Q: What can we learn from the filming locations of Glass about the nature of storytelling?

A: The filming locations of Glass remind us of the power of place in narrative and the role of physical spaces in shaping our understanding of the stories we tell. They also invite us to reflect on the blurring of reality and fiction in our contemporary world and the role of the audience in shaping reality.