Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ( film ) - wikipedia Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ( film ) Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Theatrical release poster Directed by Glenn Ficarra John Requa Produced by Lorne Michaels Tina Fey Ian Bryce Screenplay by Robert Carlock Based on The Taliban Shuffle : Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker Starring Tina Fey Margot Robbie Martin Freeman Alfred Molina Christopher Abbott Billy Bob Thornton Music by Nick Urata Cinematography Xavier Grobet Edited by Jan Kovac Production companies Broadway Video Little Stranger Distributed by Paramount Pictures Release date March 4, 2016 ( 2016 - 03 - 04 ) Running time 112 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $35 million Box office $24.9 million Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is a 2016 American biographical war comedy - drama film directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, and written by Robert Carlock, based on the memoir The Taliban Shuffle : Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker. The film stars Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman, Christopher Abbott, Alfred Molina, and Billy Bob Thornton. It was released on March 4, 2016 by Paramount Pictures. Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Production 3.1 Filming 3.2 Release 3.3 Home media 4 Reception 4.1 Box office 4.2 Critical response 5 See also 6 References 7 External links Plot In 2003 New York City, dissatisfied with the state of her career covering low - profile stories, television journalist Kim Baker ( Tina Fey ) agrees to take a short assignment as a war correspondent in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, to the disappointment of her boyfriend Chris ( Josh Charles ), who also spends a lot of time traveling. Assigned low - budget living quarters with other international journalists, she begins friendships with noted BBC correspondent Tanya Vanderpoel ( Margot Robbie ) and lecherous Scottish freelance photographer Iain MacKelpie ( Martin Freeman ). After a period of adjustment aided by her Afghan `` fixer '' Fahim Ahmadzai ( Christopher Abbott ), she begins taking well to the assignment, eliciting frank remarks on camera from soldiers questioning the value of their assignment there, and putting herself in harm 's way to capture combat incidents on video. American Marine commander General ( previously Colonel ) Hollanek ( Billy Bob Thornton ) takes a dim view of her as an inexperienced nuisance. Despite the danger, Kim stays in Afghanistan for months, then years beyond her original assignment. She catches Chris unprepared with a middle - of - the - night video call, and finds him with another woman, ending their relationship. Against her better judgment, she begins a sexual relationship with Iain, which over time also develops into a more personal one. Although her status as a woman presents challenges in an Afghan Islamic society which places restrictive roles on women, she also uses it to her advantage, gaining access to women in a village who explain that they 've been sabotaging the US - built well because they welcome the daily walk to the river away from the men, and recklessly, carrying a camera under a burqa to record a religious demonstration. She also walks a tightrope, taking advantage of the thinly - veiled sexual interest of Afghan Attorney General Ali Massoud Sadiq ( Alfred Molina ) to use him as a source. Fahim -- who treated opium addicts before the war -- cautions her, pointing out that danger can be like a drug. Despite their mutual friendliness, Kim remains in competition with other journalists for stories and for resources from their employers back home. After three years in Afghanistan, Kim flies to New York to argue for more support from her network 's new boss, only to discover that Tanya is slated to take over from her. Meanwhile, Iain is kidnapped for ransom while traveling cross-country to cover a developing story that Iain had earlier offered to bring Kim in on. Kim returns `` home '' to Afghanistan, where she blackmails her `` special friend '', Ali, for information about Iain 's whereabouts, and impresses upon Hollanek the political value to him of rescuing Iain. The mission -- accompanied by Kim 's cameraman -- is a success, both militarily and journalistically. However, shortly after Iain 's rescue Kim becomes disillusioned with both her tentative relationship and her station. She then bids farewell to her colleagues and to Fahim, and returns to the U.S. to stay. After returning, she looks up a Marine ( Evan Jonigkeit ) who was transferred, apparently because of his on - camera comments to her, and subsequently lost both of his legs to an IED. She tries to apologize for the consequences of her actions, but he refuses to let her take the blame. She moves on to an on - camera desk job, where she later finds herself interviewing Iain, who is going to be in New York soon as part of a tour for his new book, and who invites her to meet him for coffee. Cast Tina Fey as Kim Baker, a cable - news reporter Margot Robbie as Tanya Vanderpoel, a British BBC News TV journalist whom Kim admires and befriends. Martin Freeman as Iain MacKelpie, Kim 's unexpected love interest and a dedicated Scottish photojournalist. Christopher Abbott as Fahim Ahmadzai, who acts as driver, translator and all - around handyman for reporters. Billy Bob Thornton as Brigadier General Hollanek, US Marine Corps, a military man who initially scares Kim. Hollanek is referred to variously as `` Colonel '' and `` General '' throughout the film, but he is credited as `` General, '' despite his presence in the field. Alfred Molina as Ali Massoud Sadiq, a local official who has a romantic interest in her. Sheila Vand as Shakira El - Khoury, a Lebanese reporter who works alongside Kim and Tanya. Nicholas Braun as Tall Brian, Kim 's cameraman Steve Peacocke as Nic, Kim 's alpha male bodyguard Evan Jonigkeit as Lance Corporal Coughlin, a member of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines when Baker is embedded. Scott Takeda as Ed Faber Josh Charles as Chris Cherry Jones as Geri Taub Sterling K. Brown as Sergeant Hurd, another member of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. Thomas Kretschmann as Airplane Passenger Production In February 2014, Tina Fey confirmed that her production company, Little Stranger, would adapt the memoir The Taliban Shuffle : Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker of the Chicago Tribune into a film. Fey would star in the lead role in the film, which would be produced by Lorne Michaels and written by Robert Carlock. On June 30, 2014, Paramount tapped Glenn Ficarra and John Requa to direct the film. On October 22, 2014, Margot Robbie joined the cast to play a competing reporter alongside Fey 's character. On November 20, 2014, Martin Freeman was in talks to play Fey 's character 's unexpected love interest, a dedicated Scottish photojournalist. On January 10, 2015, it was reported that Nikolaj Coster - Waldau was in talks to join the film for a male lead role, although he did not ultimately star in the film. On February 2, 2015, Christopher Abbott joined the film 's cast. On February 3, 2015, Nicholas Braun joined the film to play Tall Brian, Fey 's character 's cameraman, and the film was titled as Fun House. On February 9, 2015, Steve Peacocke was set to star in the film, playing Nic, Fey 's character 's alpha male bodyguard. On February 11, 2015, confirmed cast was announced, with Billy Bob Thornton, Alfred Molina, Sheila Vand, and Evan Jonigkeit also joining the cast of the film, in which Vand would play Shakira El - Khoury, a Lebanese reporter who works alongside Kim and Tanya. Fey confirmed that the film 's title would be Whiskey Tango Foxtrot in an interview with USA Today. Kim Barker was changed to a cable - news reporter named `` Baker. '' Margot Robbie is playing Tanya Vanderpoel, a British TV journalist whom Kim admires and befriends. Christopher Abbott plays Afghan `` fixer '' Fahim Ahmadzai, who acts as driver, translator and all - around handyman for reporters. Martin Freeman is Iain MacKelpie, a Scottish war photographer who is Kim 's love interest. Rounding out the ensemble cast is Billy Bob Thornton as General Hollanek, a military man who initially scares Kim, and Alfred Molina is a local official who has a romantic interest in her. The title is a NATO alphabet spelling of WTF, which stands for `` What the fuck ? '' Filming On February 3, 2015, the Albuquerque Journal reported that filming was underway in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Fey was spotted filming in the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. On February 11, 2015, Paramount also confirmed that principal photography had commenced on the film in New Mexico. It was filmed in part at the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Santa Fe. Production on the film concluded on April 10, 2015. Release The film was originally titled The Taliban Shuffle and Fun House, before settling on Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. It was released on March 4, 2016. At the beginning of the rolling credits is a dedication to Fey 's father, Donald Henry Fey, who died in 2015. Home media Whiskey Tango Foxtrot was released on DVD and Blu - ray on June 28, 2016. Reception Box office Whiskey Tango Foxtrot grossed $23.1 million in North America and $1.8 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $24.9 million, against a production budget of $35 million. In the United States and Canada, pre-release tracking suggested the film would gross $10 -- 12 million from 2,374 theaters in its opening weekend, trailing fellow newcomers Zootopia ( $60 -- 70 million projection ) and London Has Fallen ( $20 -- 23 million projection ). The film ended up grossing $7.6 million in its opening weekend, finishing below expectations and 4th at the box office. Critical response On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 68 % based on 179 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3 / 10. The site 's critical consensus reads, `` While WTF is far from FUBAR, Tina Fey and Martin Freeman are just barely enough to overcome the picture 's glib predictability and limited worldview. '' Metacritic gives the film a weighted average score of 57 out of 100, based on 44 critics, indicating `` mixed or average reviews ''. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of `` B '' on an A+ to F scale. See also Lara Logan, the first female reporter to cover the war in Afghanistan Whitewashing in film, due to casting of white actors in Afghan roles References Jump up ^ `` WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT ( 15 ) ''. British Board of Film Classification. February 26, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ( 2016 ) ''. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 20, 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ( 2016 ) ''. The Numbers. Retrieved June 12, 2016. ^ Jump up to : D'Alessandro, Anthony ( February 11, 2015 ). `` Billy Bob Thornton, Alfred Molina & Sheila Vand Join Tina Fey Paramount Comedy ''. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 12, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Ford, Rebecca ( February 2, 2015 ). `` Christopher Abbott Joins Tina Fey 's Wartime Dark Comedy ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 3, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Sneider, Jeff ( February 11, 2015 ). `` Billy Bob Thornton, Alfred Molina Join Tina Fey in Paramount Comedy ''. TheWrap. Retrieved February 12, 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Nicholas Braun Cast In ' Fun House ' ''. Deadline Hollywood. February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Hipes, Patrick ( February 9, 2015 ). `` Aussie TV Star Steve Peacocke Joins Tina Fey - Margot Robbie Pic ''. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 10, 2015. Jump up ^ Linda Ge, `` Scott Takeda Joins Tina Fey and Margot Robbie in Paramount 's Middle East Comedy, '' TheWrap, February 13, 2015. Jump up ^ Sneider, Jeff ( November 9, 2015 ). `` Tina Fey 's Untitled Movie Based on ' Taliban Shuffle ' Lands Release Date ''. TheWrap. Retrieved November 10, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Tina Fey To Star In Middle East War Comedy ' The Taliban Shuffle ' ''. The Huffington Post. February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014. Jump up ^ Sneider, Jeff ( June 30, 2014 ). `` ' Crazy, Stupid, Love ' Directors Will Do the ' Taliban Shuffle ' With Tina Fey ''. TheWrap. Retrieved July 2, 2014. Jump up ^ Kit, Borys ( October 22, 2014 ). `` Margot Robbie in Talks to Join Tina Fey in ' Taliban Shuffle ' ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 23, 2014. Jump up ^ Kit, Borys ( November 20, 2014 ). `` ' Hobbit ' Star Martin Freeman in Talks to Join Tina Fey in ' Taliban Shuffle ' ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 22, 2014. Jump up ^ Douglas, Edward ( January 10, 2015 ). `` Nikolaj Coster - Waldau May Be Joining Tina Fey 's Taliban Shuffle ''. comingsoon.net. Retrieved January 11, 2015. Jump up ^ Truitt, Brian ( November 26, 2015 ). `` Sneak peek : Tina Fey goes to war in ' Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ' ''. USA Today. Retrieved November 27, 2015. Jump up ^ Jadrnak, Jackie ( February 3, 2015 ). `` Talk to us, Tina ! Tell us your Santa Fe adventures ! ''. Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved February 11, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Tina Fey begins filming ' Taliban Shuffle ' in Santa Fe, NM ''. onlocationvacations.com. February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Filming Starts for the Taliban Shuffle Adaptation, Starring Tina Fey ''. comingsoon.net. February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015. Jump up ^ Film credits of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot : `` Filmed on location in Albuquerque, New Mexico / Santa Fe City and County, New Mexico / The Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico / By Special Permission of the Pueblo of Laguna / Santa Fe Scottish Rite Temple / New Mexico Corrections Department / Atlas Mountains, Morocco '' Jump up ^ `` On the Set for 4 / 13 / 15 : Margot Robbie Wraps on ' Fun House ' & Starts ' Suicide Squad ', Dave Franco Begins YA Adaptation ' Nerve ' ''. SSNInsider.com. April 13, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ''. ComingSoon.net. Retrieved March 16, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Disney Unleashed : ' Zootopia ' Toon Expected To Roar Past $60 M -- Weekend Preview ''. Deadline Hollywood. ^ Jump up to : D'Alessandro, Anthony ( March 7, 2016 ). `` ' Zootopia ' $73.7 M Opening Sets Record For Original Disney Toon ; ' London ' Raises $21.7 M ; ' Whiskey ' Trips ''. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 21, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ( 2016 ) ''. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved March 6, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Reviews ''. Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 7, 2016. Jump up ^ CinemaScore on Twitter ( March 4, 2016 ). `` Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ''. Retrieved April 9, 2017. Jump up ^ Hornaday, Ann ( March 4, 2016 ). `` ' Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ' and Hollywood 's enduring problem with whitewashing ''. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2017. Jump up ^ Rosen, Christopher ( March 4, 2016 ). `` Tina Fey : Whiskey Tango Foxtrot casting controversy addressed ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 6, 2017. External links Official website Whiskey Tango Foxtrot on IMDb Whiskey Tango Foxtrot at AllMovie Film in the United States portal Comedy portal 2010s portal Films directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa I Love You Phillip Morris ( 2009 ) Crazy, Stupid, Love ( 2011 ) Focus ( 2015 ) Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ( 2016 ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Whiskey_Tango_Foxtrot_(film)&oldid=844221724 '' Categories : 2016 films English - language films American films 2010s comedy - drama films American comedy - drama films Films about journalism Films about journalists Films based on non-fiction books Films directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa Films set in Afghanistan Films shot in New Mexico Paramount Pictures films War films based on actual events War in Afghanistan ( 2001 -- present ) films Hidden categories : All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from June 2016 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch فارسی Français 한국어 Italiano Magyar 日本 語 Português Русский Українська 4 more Edit links This page was last edited on 3 June 2018, at 13 : 34 ( UTC ). 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Question: where was the movie whisky tango foxtrot filmed
Answer: Santa Fe, New Mexico