Gillian Anderson shares selfies from the Prague set of White Bird, now in US cinemas

White birdwhich was filmed in Prague in early 2021, finally hit U.S. theaters this past weekend, where it premiered in over 1,000 locations. Star Gillian Anderson shared some behind-the-scenes photos taken during filming on Czech locations on her social media accounts to celebrate the release.

On Instagram, Anderson posted a selfie with Czech actor Miroslav Táborský, who plays Monsieur Lafleur in the film. Other photos shared by Anderson include a series of behind-the-scenes shots of sets and actors White birdand a shot of rat sculptures made by Kryštof Hošek for an exhibition at the Kampa Museum.

On Facebook, Anderson shared an additional series of behind-the-scenes photos from White bird along with other footage from Czech locations, including her Labradoodle Stella on location in Prague, as well as a video of David Černý's Piss pee fountain, another popular tourist attraction on Kampa.

Published as White birdan abridged version of the original title White Bird: A Miracle StoryThe film has come a long way to its theatrical release, having been filmed in Prague more than three years ago. Originally scheduled for a 2022 release, it was pushed back to 2023 and premiered at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival in July.

Due to further delays White bird premiered in select European territories, including neighboring Germany, earlier this year before hitting theaters in the United States. A theatrical release in Czech cinemas is not expected.

A 2017 prequel/spinoff to Wonder, White bird is a World War II-era drama starring Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson. While the original film, starring Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts, was set in modern-day New York, the new film is largely set in 1940s France, with Prague and surrounding towns replacing the period settings.

White bird follows Julian Albans (played by Bryce Gheisar, the only returning member of Wonder's cast), an antagonist of the earlier film's protagonist, played by Jacob Tremblay. After he is expelled from school, Julian's grandmother (played by Mirren) tells him a story from her childhood during World War II.

In occupied France, Mirren's character Sarah (played as a teenager by Ariella Glaser) hides from Nazi persecution with the help of a little boy (Orlando Schwerdt). The young couple finds love in a world of their own making, while the boy's mother (played by Anderson) risks everything to ensure their safety.

Marc Forster (World War Z, A quantum of comfort) directed White Bird: A Miracle Story based on a screenplay by Mark Bomback, adapted from the graphic novel by Wonder Author RJ Palacio.

“White Bird” was filmed in the Barrandov studio in Prague, filming also took place on the streets of the city. Parts of the film were also shot in the village of Kněževes in Prague-West.

Outside Prague, White bird was filmed in other Czech locations including Kutná Hora, Grabštejn Castle outside Liberec, the Brdy Forests southwest of Prague and other rural locations such as Kolešov, Štampach, Svatý Jan pod Skalou and Hýskov.

“I have wanted to return to Prague for some time, having only been there briefly once before,” Anderson told the Czech Film Commission during filming White bird.

“To be honest, I would have seen more of the city if there hadn't been paparazzi outside the hotel every day. But when I come back, perhaps it will be anonymously and I will have more opportunity to stroll around your beautiful city.”