Where was Year One filmed?
2009
City Locations
Sibley, Shreveport, LA; Albuquerque, NM (USA)
Location Types
Riverside, Video Studio, Ranch, Nature, Film Studio
Location Styles
Camper, Building Dated/Retro, Desert, Mountain Huts, Retreat, Rustic, Southwestern
About Year One
Adventure comedy “Year One” takes you back to 2009 and transports you to a fantastical, mythological realm from the distant past. A hilarious parody of the book of Genesis, the picture stars Jack Black and Michael Cera was directed by the legendary Harold Ramis. The film blends comedic elements with action, telling the story of two out-of-the-ordinary cavemen named Zed (Jack Black) and Oh (Michael Cera), who are expelled from their community following Zed's consumption of the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
The plot comically goes out of hand until they reach the biblical city of Sodom as the two travel all over the place. Along the way, they encounter famous biblical characters, which elevates their quest to a hilarious new level. Maya (June Diane Raphael) and Eema (Juno Temple), the love interests of Zed and Oh, are kidnapped and sold as slaves, adding another twist to their story. They flee to the desert, where they become lost until Abraham (Hank Azaria) rescues them. The narrative intensifies as they trespass into Sodom, capture, rescue, and make humorous attempts to free the slaves.
Year One Locations
“Year One” is an exciting adventure comedy that transports viewers to a prehistoric universe set in picturesque New Mexico and Louisiana. The majority of the film is shot in these vibrant locations, leading you through meticulously staged settings of ancient towns and villages.
You'll get lost in the massive sets, which have been meticulously detailed, and even film production experts will be astounded. Stroll down the cobblestone streets of Sibley, Louisiana, and imagine the scenes filmed at the six-acre recreation of the ancient city of Sodom, which features impressive buildings like a palace, a temple, and stone walls.
You'll find a rural community just a short distance away in Shreveport, northwest Louisiana. Stunning New Mexico's Sandia Mountains and the mysterious Ghost Ranch, where the film's eastern world meetings occur, are also featured on screen. Our heroes travel the arid landscape of New Mexico's White Sands National Monument, which adds to the film's already astounding geographical scope.
A visit to these filming locations would be an exciting and enlightening excursion, establishing an actual connection to the enthralling world portrayed in Year One. You'll get a first-hand look at the expansive vistas that inspired the filmmakers to build elaborate sets, transporting you to a bygone age with pinpoint accuracy.
Zed & Oh's village scenes in Year One
Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
Audiences are introduced to Zed (Jack Black), a somewhat clumsy hunter-gatherer, and his friend Oh (Michael Cera), a timid gatherer; the duo resides in a small agrarian village. Zed harbors feelings for Maya (June Diane Raphael), a girl from his village who, unfortunately for him, is more interested in Marlak (Matthew J. Willig), the village's best hunter.
Similarly, Oh finds himself smitten with Eema (Juno Temple), a fellow gatherer who also prefers the company of hunters. The village serves as a backdrop for these unrequited loves and as the stage for the pivotal meeting between Zed, Oh, and the biblical figures Cain (David Cross) and Abel (Paul Rudd).
The park in Shreveport, Louisiana, in the northwest section of the state, is the site of this painstakingly constructed Neolithic village set. Under the direction of production designer Jefferson Sage, the crew sought historical realism in the house and set design by drawing inspiration from old English villages.
Fans can head to downtown Shreveport to see places like the Sci-Port Discovery Center, an ideal destination due to its interactive science displays and IMAX dome. The Spring Street Historical Museum explores the local heritage and is located in a beautifully renovated 19th-century bank. Along the banks of the Red River, the city also hosts riverboat casinos.
The city of Shreveport is easily accessible by various modes of transportation, including the airport (Shreveport Regional Airport), major highways (Interstates 20 and 49), and even buses and trains.
Zed and Oh meet Cain and Abel scene in Year One
Stageworks of Louisiana, 400 Clyde Fant Memorial Pkwy, Shreveport, LA 71101, USA
Zed (Jack Black) struggles with disrespect from his tribe members; this dissatisfaction drives him to take fruit from a forbidden tree, resulting in his exile. With Oh (Michael Cera) by his side, Zed sets out on an adventure that will take them much beyond their community. They encounter Cain (David Cross) and Abel (Paul Rudd) early on in their journey, which is a pivotal moment in their story.
Stageworks of Louisiana provided the live action for several of the sequences. Stageworks, Louisiana's largest studio complex, is at 400 Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway in Shreveport. The Stageworks of Louisiana is still a fully functional studio despite its crucial role in the film industry as a backdrop for several scenes. Visitors are thus not allowed full access.
Various transportation options are available to reach Shageworks of Louisiana and the rest of Shreveport. Air travelers can land in Shreveport at the regional airport. Shreveport is easily accessible by vehicle due to its location near major roads. Centrally located, the studio is only a short 14-minute walk from the North Market Venue.
Looking past the "end of the world" scene in Year One
Sandia Mountains, New Mexico 87122, USA
Zed (Jack Black) and Oh (Michael Cera) engage in a philosophical discussion as they travel across unexplored regions, delving into the nature of the world outside their current environment. This time, the mountains that Zed and Oh come upon make them wonder if that's "the end of the world".
This dramatic crossroads in their journey takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, against the backdrop of the Sandia Mountains; Bernalillo and Sandoval counties are home to these majestic mountains. An abundance of outdoor pursuits, including rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking, are available in the Sandia Mountains, which are world-renowned for their stunning splendor. Sandia Peak Ski Area transforms into a winter wonderland for skiers and snowboarders with a tram ride that provides breathtaking views of more than 11,000 square miles of spectacular natural beauty.
Sandia Peak may be reached mainly by vehicle or the Sandia Peak Tramway, providing visitors with two main alternatives to experience the magnificent setting of this Year One panorama. The trip starts in Albuquerque for those who choose to drive. Drive east on I-40 until you reach exit 175; then, head north on NM Highway 14 until you reach the Crest Scenic Byway 536; this will take you right to the ski resort.
Alternatively, guests can have the unforgettable experience of riding the tramway up the mountains. To get to the tramway base station, you'll need a car. Once there, hop on a beautiful tram ride and take in the breathtaking views of Albuquerque's natural splendor.
Zed & Oh escape into the desert scene in Year One
White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, USA
Zed (Jack Black) and Oh (Michael Cera) traverse the enormous desert; their pursuit of the slave caravan led by Sodomites fades from view after their daring escape. In the middle of the vast and empty desert, they meet Abraham (Hank Azaria).
White Sands National Park in New Mexico is the setting for this mesmerizing desert panorama. The shimmering white gypsum dunes of White Sands provide an ethereal and fantastical setting, ideal for depicting Zed and Oh's adventure into the unknown. From the action classic King Solomon's Mines to more recent epics like Jarhead (2005) and Transformers (2007), the park's distinctive landscape has been a sought-after setting for filmmakers (2007).
The stunning grandeur and irresistible charm of the American Southwest are on full display at White Sands, which was first named a national monument in 1933 and is now a national park. The park can be reached by car via U.S. Highway 70, which connects Alamogordo and Las Cruces in southern New Mexico. An incredible journey awaits you in one of the most famous desert locations in the United States along this path that leads to the park and offers breathtaking scenery views.
Zed & Oh visit the Hebrew village scene in Year One
Ghost Ranch, 280 Private Drive 1708 Highway, US-84, Abiquiu, NM 87510, USA
Zed (Jack Black) and Oh (Michael Cera) persist in their mission to free the slaves despite their numerous challenges. They encounter Abraham (Hank Azaria) at the mountain amid a dramatic and unsettling act: he is about to sacrifice his son Isaac (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). Zed intervenes in a daring and decisive move, claiming that Abraham's deity has sent him to stop the sacrifice. This intervention saves Isaac and leads Abraham to invite Zed and Oh to his Hebrew village. Here, Abraham divulges information about the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The Hebrew village scenes were filmed at Ghost Ranch, a location that embodies the mystique and grandeur of the Near Eastern world depicted in the film. Situated near the village of Abiquiú in Rio Arriba County, north-central New Mexico, Ghost Ranch spans approximately 21,000 acres and offers a breathtaking landscape that serves as the perfect backdrop for this significant moment in the movie.
Visitors can embark on stunning tours that showcase the area's natural beauty and geological wonders, enjoy breathtaking horseback rides through the scenic landscape, or partake in sunrise paddleboarding excursions on the tranquil waters of Abiquiú Lake.
Getting to Ghost Ranch from Santa Fe involves a scenic drive of about 65 miles. The route, primarily along US-84 W/US Hwy 285 N and then continuing on US-84 W, is filled with picturesque views and takes roughly an hour and 15 minutes to complete.
Conclusion
“Year One”, starring Jack Black and Michael Cera, embarks on a biblical buddy road trip to Canaan, setting expectations for an instant classic. Filming took place across the expansive landscapes of Louisiana and New Mexico, showcasing elaborate sets designed to recreate ancient villages and cities. These sets, some of the largest ever worked on by production designer Jefferson Sage, lend a grand scale to the movie, visually transporting viewers to the story's Near Eastern cultures and settings.
Year One showcases impressive set designs and occasional comedic brilliance, even though it fails to leave a significant mark on the movie industry or achieve the status of a comedy classic. However, visiting the filming locations in Louisiana and New Mexico might offer a fascinating glimpse into the movie's production scale for those curious about the film's unique settings.