Exiled: The Chosen Ones is a gritty action-thriller directed by Ranjeet S. Marwa, known for his inventive indie filmmaking. Written by Charmaine Binji and Ranjeet S. Marwa, the film is set in a dystopian world where a failed man-made virus leads global leaders to create a deadly game show. Contestants are exiled into a brutal concrete jungle and must kill to survive, while the entire world watches and places bets on who might make it out alive.
The cast includes Sunny Pang (Hiro), Jon Xue Zhang (Bulldozer), James Jaysen Bryhan (Kato Plasma), Carl Wharton (Billy the Butcher), Craig Edwards (Jimmy the Reaper), Hannah Al Rashid (Amber), Zack Lee (Cypher Apex Predator), and Oka Antara (Kruz).
The film has been nominated for Best Feature at the Pinewood Studios Film Festival and has generated buzz not just for its storyline but also for its distinct, immersive setting. The filming locations played a vital role in shaping the intense and raw tone of the movie. Let’s take a closer look at where Exiled: The Chosen Ones was filmed.
WHERE WAS EXILED: THE CHOSEN ONES FILMED?
The entire production of Exiled: The Chosen Ones was primarily based in Birmingham, United Kingdom. This city, known for its industrial backdrop, served as the perfect setting for the movie’s grim “Badlands Jungle” aesthetic. Director Ranjeet S. Marwa used the city’s urban decay to create a dystopian atmosphere that fit the brutal narrative of the game show environment.
BIRMINGHAM, UK – THE MAIN SHOOTING HUB
Filming in Birmingham took place in October 2020, with a tight schedule spanning just twelve days. Despite the constraints, the crew managed to capture key action sequences and the overall visual tone in various locations across the city. According to Film Combat Syndicate, these twelve days of principal photography were intensive but effective, utilizing Birmingham’s concrete structures, alleyways, abandoned buildings, and industrial zones to double as the game’s deadly arena.
The film’s fictional “concrete jungle” was brought to life using real city infrastructure. The decaying buildings and graffiti-covered surfaces of Birmingham’s lesser-known spots helped immerse the viewer into the survivalist nature of the story. The cold, gray architecture and narrow streets heightened the sense of claustrophobia and danger intended in the film.
PRODUCTION APPROACH AND BEHIND THE SCENES
Ranjeet S. Marwa self-financed the film with help from friends and family after two of his previous projects were delayed due to COVID-19. His commitment extended to hands-on work like personally designing and modifying all 37 costumes in the film—cutting, painting, and customizing each outfit over four days.
After principal photography wrapped, post-production began with Marwa planning additional shoots extending into late November and mid-December 2020. While the movie had a micro-budget, its creative execution gave it a larger-than-life cinematic feel, much of which was owed to the real-world locations used in Birmingham.
Tragically, David Blackwell, who portrayed Player 50, passed away on November 28, 2021, before the film’s release. The movie was later dedicated to his memory.
Exiled: The Chosen Ones held its theatrical premiere on August 13, 2022, fittingly in Birmingham, where most of the film was shot.
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