King Reza: I would certainly write “the movie is set in China,” but as far as the meaning is concerned, I think there is no difference at all.

Pedro Martínez: tell that to Hollywood
"set" would be where a movie is actually filmed. "taking place" would be where the movies story line occurred.

Bwild: I guess the difference is obvious now, except, I think it must be the reverse. Otherwise the sentence in my book "It's a new action movie that is set in ancient China. Michelle Yeoh is in it." would be meaningless as there's no ancient China today to film the movie there.

King Reza: Like so much else in English, it can be used different ways. My personal opinion is that both are the same, in your original post. If someone said the movie takes place in NYC but the set is in LA, it would be saying that the story itself is set(verb)in NYC, but the movie set(noun) is in LA.

rod03801: Thanks. So basically they're more or less the same thing.

Pedro Martínez: Thanks for the reply. I've seen both sentences in a book and from the context, I'd say there's difference in meaning as the book is teaching verbs used when people talk about movies. But I can't figure out what it is.

Here's what the book says ( there are two ads for two movies) :

1) It's a tragedy that takes place in Delhi, so it's in Hindi, but it's subtitled.

2) It's a new action movie that is set in ancient China. Michelle Yeoh is in it.

I'd appreciate a few more comments.

King Reza: "It's a new action movie that is set in ancient China. Michelle Yeoh is in it."
"is set" in this instance ....
"being set" was your 1st example. "Hi. Is there any difference between a movie's being set in China and it's taking place in China?"

Bwild: being comes form is, doesn't it. I just used it in a different sentence and naturally I used being instead of is. I couldn't say " Is there any difference between a movie's IS set in China and it's taking place in China."

Anyway, now, is there any difference between these two sentences?


The movie takes place in China.

The movie is set in China.

Bwild: I reread my sentences and I got how I had written them poorly.

I should have written: Is there a difference between a movie's being set in China and ITS ( not it's) taking place there.

King Reza: This doesn't make any sense to me. Your original question did though.

Pedro Martínez: since it doesnt make any sense, might I add my two cents?

Bwild: Sure. You're definitely more qualified than I am, after all.

Pedro Martínez: lol

Bwild: Of course. Sorry if I've caused any trouble :D

Pedro Martínez: How about this: Is there any difference between when a movie is SET IN China and when it TAKES PLACE there?

King Reza: That sounds good to me and the answer is: No, there is not. :)