‘Bear Country’ Producers Explain Rationale Behind Shooting L.A.-Set Russell Crowe Thriller In Australia, Taormina

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Russell Crowe's L.A.-set action thriller *Bear Country* shot on Australia's Gold Coast instead of in Los Angeles, a decision that raised eyebrows in Hollywood last year. Directed by Derrick Borte, the film follows an aging nightclub owner whose retirement plans derail after a masked gunman robs him. The producers explained their rationale for the location swap at the Taormina film festival, citing practical and financial considerations that made Australia an attractive alternative to shooting in the city where the story is set.