Use this phrase to describe the setting of a movie, book, TV show, play, etc. The phrasal verb "take place" means to "happen", so the sentence describes where and when the story happens.

You can follow "take place" with either a time, a location, or both:

It takes place in the 1930's.

The novel takes place in rural China.

I saw a movie that took place in 18th century France.

It takes place in a school for young wizards and witches.

Another way to explain the same idea is "___ is set in ___":

It's set in Ancient Rome.