Ten years ago, Out of the Furnace — a star-studded feature film shot in Pittsburgh’s small but iconic Rust Belt town of Braddock, Pa — was released.
Written and directed by Scott Cooper and premiering on December 6, 2013, the film stars Christian Bale as Russell Baze, a hardworking steel mill worker who lives in Braddock.
The film is an emotionally gripping drama that skillfully explores themes of family, loyalty, justice, and revenge. The story unfolds when Russell's younger brother, Rodney, portrayed by Casey Affleck, returns from serving in Iraq, dealing with the trauma of war. Other notable characters are played by actors Woody Harrelson, William Dafoe, Zoe Saldana, Forest Whitaker, Sam Shepherd, and Tom Bower.
Set in 2008 against the backdrop of a declining industrial town in Pennsylvania, the film paints a stark picture of economic hardship and the struggles of the working class. Braddock, a former steel town, plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative. The rusting steel mills and dilapidated buildings capture Braddock’s desolation, creating a metaphor for hardships the Baze family has faced. Cooper chose Braddock and Carrie Furnace in an attempt to authentically convey the harsh realities of post-industrial America. The town becomes a character in itself, and is referred to several times throughout the film.
Braddock, North Braddock and Rankin make up the 15104 zip code. In the film, Russell Baze (Christian Bale) has a tattoo of 15104 on his neck, a nod to Braddock’s then-mayor (now U.S. Senator) John Fetterman, who has the same design on his forearm.
Over the years, Braddock has played host to a multitude of TV shows and movies, transforming its streets into a cinematic canvas that adds depth and character to the screenplays. Most recently, Braddock and the local bar featured in Out of the Furnace, Dante Club of Rankin, have provided sets for the productions of Rustin (Netflix), Mayor of Kingston (Paramount) and The Deliverance (Netlix).
