Maps of Movies
Snowden (2016)
Where Snowden says it takes place, and where it was really shot.
The famous Hong Kong hotel room was filmed in the real hotel, but the CIA school and the Geneva scenes have no known shooting location.
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Scenes and places
The hotel-room meeting in Hong Kong (2013)
In June 2013 Snowden hands over his phone-free room to a documentary maker and a journalist, and starts to explain who he is and what he has seen. Every later flashback in the film is told from this room.
Set in The Mira Hotel, Hong Kong — The hotel where Snowden meets the filmmaker and the journalist. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A hotel on Nathan Road in Kowloon.
Filmed at The Mira Hong Kong — Hong Kong press reported that crews started filming here at the end of April 2015. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Filmed at Old buildings, To Kwa Wan — Outdoor filming took place in some old buildings in this district; the exact buildings and the scenes are not named. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
The CIA school called "The Hill" (2006)
Snowden, who left the army after a leg injury, is let into CIA training on a second chance from Deputy Director Corbin O'Brien. At "The Hill" he learns cyberwarfare and beats the class record for rebuilding a hidden network.
Set in CIA training centre "The Hill", Virginia — The CIA training centre where Snowden is taught and tested.
A training centre the film calls "The Hill".
The CIA posting in Geneva (2007)
Snowden moves to Geneva with Lindsay Mills under diplomatic cover. Working next to an experienced surveillance officer, he starts to question the tactics his bosses use.
Set in Geneva, Switzerland — The Swiss city where Snowden is posted under diplomatic cover. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The Swiss city of Geneva.
Epic Shelter in Japan
Snowden joins the NSA in Japan and builds a program called Epic Shelter. He learns how far US agencies reach into other countries' networks, and the strain ends his relationship with Mills.
Set in Yokota Air Base, Japan — The NSA site near Tokyo where Snowden builds a backup system. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A US air base west of Tokyo.
Filmed at Tokyo, exterior footage — Some exterior footage was filmed in Tokyo; the scenes inside the NSA site were not shot at Yokota. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Back to Maryland
Snowden leaves the NSA post and goes to Maryland, where he and Mills get back together. A hunting trip with O'Brien leads to the offer of a new job in Hawaii.
Set in Maryland, United States — The US state where Mills moves back and Snowden follows.
A US state next to Washington, D.C.
The Tunnel in Hawaii (2012)
Snowden starts work in the underground NSA centre on Oahu. Surrounded by strict rules, he sees that Epic Shelter is feeding data to drone operators.
Set in The Tunnel, Kunia, Oahu — The underground NSA centre on Oahu where Snowden works from 2012. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A former wartime underground facility.
Filmed at Near the Kunia facility — The director says the crew shot near the tunnel and could not get in; the exact filming spot is not named. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Life in Royal Kunia
Snowden and Mills settle in Hawaii, hoping the move will help his health. At home, his doubts about the job grow.
Set in Eleu Street, Royal Kunia, Oahu — The suburb where Snowden and Mills live in Hawaii. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A residential neighbourhood on Oahu.
Filmed at Royal Kunia, Oahu — A similar house near Snowden's real home and a golf course; not the same house. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Filmed at Munich, Bavaria Film studios — Various interiors Google Maps · Apple Maps
Filmed at Washington, D.C. — Washington scenes Google Maps · Apple Maps
Characters
- Edward Snowden — A young systems engineer who moves from the CIA to the NSA and starts to doubt what he is helping to build.
- Lindsay Mills — His partner, who follows him from posting to posting.
- Laura Poitras — The documentary maker who meets him in Hong Kong in 2013.
- Corbin O'Brien — The CIA deputy director who gives him a second chance.