I’m going to highlight 6 films that will transport you across the world so sit back and enjoy!
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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: A 2013 film directed by Ben Stiller who also stars in it as the main character Walter. It is an American adventure drama-comedy. This story depicts a day dreamer who escapes his life and jumps into a world of fantasies filled with heroism and action. When his job in his real life is threatened, Walter takes action in the real world by embarking on an epic adventure. The filming locations are otherworldly and beautiful, they transport you to land of fire and ice otherwise known as Iceland featuring glaciers, lighthouses, mountains and more. It also has one of my favourite soundtracks of any film with some real uplifting music. Give it a watch and see what you think!
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The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: a 2012 comedy drama which follows a group of British retirees who decide to choose retirement in India when they read some enticing news about a newly restored hotel. When they arrive it’s not exactly the lap of luxury as what they envisioned, nevertheless the hotel grows on them and they are transformed by their shared experiences discovering love and life can begin again when you let go of the past. This film transports you to the exotic sights, sounds and smells of India in every way! It features some big names including dame Maggie smith, Bull Nighy and dame Judi Dench to name but a few!
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Eat Pray Love: A book by Elizabeth Gilbert and adapted into a film in 2010. Takes you on one woman's search for everything across Italy, India and Indonesia. It is a true chick flick featuring Julia Roberts. The main character had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having, a husband, a house, a successful career. Yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali.
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Tracks: A 2013 Australian Drama that tells the remarkable true story of Robyn Davidson and is an adaptation of Davidson's memoir of the same name. It chronicles the author's nine-month journey on camels across the Australian desert. The film depicts a woman who that walks from Alice springs across 2,700km of desert to the Indian ocean accompanied by her dog and 4 camels. Along the way she meets national geographic photographer Rick Smolan who documented the rest her journey. The film has been highly rated for its cinematography which evocatively captures the sweltering heat and arid land whilst the wide expansive landscape dwarfs Robyn and her animals, accentuating her isolation and the sheer scale of her endeavour. The filming took place in on location, in southern and northern Australia.
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The Way: A 2010 thought provoking, powerful, moving drama following a dad grieving at the loss of his son who died on the "El Camino de Santiago an infamous pilgrimage route. The father heads overseas to recover the body of his son and decides to embark on an epic journey and take to the trail himself, meeting lots of fascinating characters looking for their own meaning in life along the way. The film showcases some beautiful Spanish locations including the incredibly stunning cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. An interesting element to the film depicts how the characters have a profound impact on one another’s lives.
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Under the Tuscan Sun: (2003) This fictional romantic comedy although cliché and a definite chick flick is a real feel good film and transports you to the land of olive groves and renaissance architecture. The scenery is stunning and really makes the film. The story follows Frances Mayes a 35-year-old San Francisco writer whose perfect life has just taken an unexpected detour. Her recent divorce has left her with writer's block and extremely depressed. Her best friend, Patti, is beginning to think that she might never recover. "Doctor Patti's" prescription: 10 days in Tuscany. It's there, on a whim, that Frances purchases a villa that needs some restoration work done to it and of course a chance encounter with an antiques dealer named Marcello in Rome adds a romantic touch to this story.
That’s a wrap! That’s my round up of 6 top travel films. Tune in next week for more Saturday screening suggestions. Remember to look after your wellbeing and take some time out this Easter weekend to relax and enjoy, connect with your family and friends, maybe share your favourite film recommendations with one another or watch a film together virtually on a skype call to feel more connected.
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