Not Only in Hollywood
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Posted by Girlosophy on Wed 2 November 2011
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True Story: I once met the guy whose wife was responsible for scouting locations for the James Bond movies. That’s pretty much the ultimate dream job for anyone, but then she was also the producer and her name was Barbara Broccoli. Only in Hollywood folks!
The set locations became the key reason to see the Bond films in many respects. As the newly minted and undeniably hunked-up 007 in Casino Royale, Daniel Craig only added to the views but personally I hit rewind several times just for the Bahamas One & Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island!
Immersing yourself in locations from films is one way to get jazzed about planning a trip. It’s known in the travel industry that popular films set in specific locations directly create trip bookings. Out of Africa has probably been the inspiration for more safaris through Kenya and Tanzania than any advertising campaign. And without a doubt more people were inspired to visit Las Vegas after Oceans 11 than before the movie franchise was released.
Indeed, film has been a key travel reference point for a long time. The classic Roman Holiday which came out in 1953 and made stars of Gregory Peck and the luminous Audrey Hepburn, inspired a generation of baby boomers to to ride a Vespa around Italy. Morning of the Earth, the evergreen surfing film made by Alby Falzon in the 1970s probably created the myth of Bali. It painted Bali as a surfing mecca and inspired a generation of surfers to visit the Island of the Gods.
For the first decade of backpackers in the 21st Century, travel agents could most likely point to The Beach released in 2001. Leo DiCaprio and friends have been the undoubted inspiration for many to visit Phuket and enjoy the perfection of the islands of Southern Thailand.
“Speaking of which: if it’s chest-heaving romance in a ridiculously exotic location that you’re after, The English Patient will have you Tunisia-bound in no time.”
Feeling a bit blah on the couch at home? Bring on The Bourne Identity. If George Clooney or Brad Pitt on Italy’s Lake Como in Oceans 12 isn’t motivation for a touch of jet-setting and a life less ordinary, then Matt Damon going nuts on assassins while flashing multiple passports from Stockholm to Morocco might perk you up.
Speaking of which: if it’s chest-heaving romance in a ridiculously exotic location that you’re after, The English Patient will have you Tunisia-bound in no time. To which I would also add the gorgeous I Dreamed of Africa. Kuki Gallmann’s memoir adapted exquisitely to film and starring Kim Basinger is more ranch romance than you can bear – and enough motivation to get anyone thinking of tackling Mount Kilimanjaro.
And, who doesn’t adore a man with a motorbike and cute goggles? The Motorcycle Diaries’ Gael Garcia Bernal should have you lusting for South America. If you can’t get that vision from your mind (hard, I know), you could go for gold to see Gael getting racy in Mexico in Y Tu Mama Tambien. Consider yourself warned! (And if you think Mexico might be your thing, you should also check out Salma Hayek in Frida.)
For more gritty realism, try City of Joy, the heartwarming film set in India’s Calcutta. Watch it and be inspired, Mother Theresa-style.
And of course don’t forget the Big Apple – New York City – scene of countless romantic comedies. Visit Manhattan’s Central Park and you may end up starring in your own romance. You won’t know if you don’t go…
Want more? Stay tuned for Girlosophy’s Top Travel Film List. All these and other must-see travel-inspired movies. Coming soon!
Photographer: Anthea Paul
