The film “The Bird Can’t Fly” was released in 2007 and directed by Barbara Eder. It’s a drama film that follows the story of a young girl named Willa who moves to a small town after the death of her father. The movie explores themes of grief, family, and self-discovery. Many viewers are curious where this thoughtful indie film was shot. Knowing the filming locations provides insight into the atmosphere and feel of the movie. Below we’ll explore where “The Bird Can’t Fly” was filmed and break down the major shooting sites.
Overview of Filming Locations
“The Bird Can’t Fly” was filmed entirely in the U.S. state of Montana. Specific cities and sites included:
Cities and Towns
- Missoula, Montana
- Kalispell, Montana
- Whitefish, Montana
- Columbia Falls, Montana
Specific Locations
- Glacier National Park
- Holland Lake
- Flathead River
- University of Montana Campus
Montana provided an excellent backdrop to capture the film’s reflective tone and Willa’s journey. The state’s natural beauty and small mountain towns help convey the sense of isolation and self-discovery Willa experiences. Now let’s take a deeper look at some of the specific sites that served as settings in the movie.
Missoula
The city of Missoula and surrounding areas provided backdrops for many scenes in “The Bird Can’t Fly.” Missoula is located in western Montana and is home to the University of Montana.
The university’s campus was used for scenes showing Willa attending classes and wandering the grounds. Specific campus buildings seen in the film include the Mansfield Library, the Liberal Arts Building, and the Natural Sciences Building.
Downtown Missoula also served as a filming location for street scenes and exterior shots of the cafe where Willa works part-time. The charming and eclectic neighborhoods of Missoula provided the setting for Willa’s small rental home in the movie.
Key Missoula Filming Locations
- University of Montana Campus
- Mansfield Library
- Liberal Arts Building
- Natural Sciences Building
- Downtown Missoula streets
- Residential neighborhoods
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in northern Montana offered breathtaking mountain scenery and dense forests for crucial scenes in the film. Specifically, the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road stretching across the park served as the backdrop for pivotal moments with Willa contemplating life and nature.
Holland Lake was one of the lakes in the park used for filming. Float plane scenes were shot on Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park as well. The park’s rugged peaks, glacial valleys, and crystalline lakes provided the perfect natural settings to reflect Willa’s emotional journey in the film.
Key Glacier National Park Filming Locations
- Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Holland Lake
- Lake McDonald
Kalispell
The small city of Kalispell, located near Glacier National Park, provided additional shooting locations for “The Bird Can’t Fly.” Downtown Kalispell was used for multiple street scenes and exterior shots. Storefronts in the historic downtown district offered a quaint western feel on camera.
The Kalispell Armory Building served as the main set for the lively square dances Willa attends in the movie. Kalispell’s residential neighborhoods also provided backdrops for scenes outside Willa’s home.
Key Kalispell Filming Locations
- Downtown Kalispell streets and storefronts
- Kalispell Armory Building
- Residential neighborhoods
Whitefish
Additional filming took place around the mountain town of Whitefish, located 25 miles from Glacier National Park. Downtown Whitefish offered an idyllic and rustic small town setting for multiple scenes. The historic Whitefish Train Depot was featured prominently as the location where Willa arrives by train at the start of the movie.
Country roads around Whitefish served as backdrops to capture Willa’s sense of isolation in her new rural mountain surroundings. The Flathead River also provided shooting locations for riverside scenes of Willa reflecting by the water.
Key Whitefish Filming Locations
- Downtown Whitefish
- Whitefish Train Depot
- Country roads
- Flathead River
Columbia Falls
The crew filmed in the town of Columbia Falls northwest of Glacier National Park as well. Downtown Columbia Falls provided quaint streetscapes for brief clips. Rural roads around Columbia Falls were also used for scenic driving sequences and transitional scenes of Willa exploring the region.
Key Columbia Falls Filming Locations
- Downtown Columbia Falls
- Surrounding rural roads
Significance of Filming Locations
The filmmakers specifically chose real locations across western Montana to provide an authentic sense of place that reflected Willa’s emotional arc in the story. The stunning mountain landscapes and serene lakes mirror her solitary internal journey. The small charming towns give a feeling of community and finding a new home.
Shooting the indie drama entirely across Montana lent the film an intimate, grounded feel that may have been difficult to capture elsewhere. The powerful sense of place allows viewers to inhabit Willa’s world and walk alongside her on a poignant voyage of grief and self-discovery.
Conclusion
“The Bird Can’t Fly” brought together a poignant coming-of-age story with the epic beauty of the Montana landscape. Filming across cities like Missoula, Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls allowed the movie to fully capture Willa’s physical and internal journey. The lake-filled valleys, rugged mountains, and charming small towns of western Montana gave the film its reflective, emotional core. After learning where it was shot, it’s easy to see how the raw natural splendor of Montana shaped the moving experience of watching “The Bird Can’t Fly.” For audiences around the world, the places depicted on screen reinforced the movie’s themes of finding meaning, healing, and your place in the wider world.