Travel movies/documentaries have been a delight from their start. The sheer wanderlust effect that it invokes in the hearts of its watchers is what everyone looks forward to. To discover places one could only dream of in their wildest dreams, come forward to us with the help of International cinema. We can’t always travel to these destinations and especially during the current situation, all we can do is imagine us vacationing away and these movies are sure to take you right where you want it to.
These are a few movies you definitely shouldn’t miss watching.
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
This directorial classic was released in 1981, directed by the infamous Steven Spielberg and James Mangold. Their star cast included the immensely talented Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman and many more. Indian Jones is an evergreen classic with a total of 4 films, first one that was released in the year 1981 and the most recent one in the year 2008. Indiana Jones is expected to release its 5th film in the year 2022. Raider of the lost ark is an action-adventure film starring Harrison Ford as Indian Jones who is an archaeologist batting against the Nazi’s in his search for the Ark of the convent. The movie gets exciting when Indian jones comes face to face with a French archaeologist and indigenous people. The movie ends with Indian Jones getting his hands on the ark and receiving a large reward from the government of United States of America. This movie is sure to capture your attention into watching the other 3 parts of the series as well.
The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
The Darjeeling limited is a very fun filled family-oriented movie. The movie revolves around 3 brothers Francis, Peter and Jack who embark on a train journey across India. This train journey turns out to be a reunion for the brothers who haven’t been in contact with each other due to certain unresolved issue. Over the period of journey, the brothers start to bond like the old times and that’s when Francis reveals the purpose of this journey. The brothers are on their way to meet their mother in a convent at the foothills of Himalayas. This movie is a great watch for an offbeat movie. Directed by Wes Anderson consisting of the star cast Jason Schwartz, Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson, Amara Karan taking center stage.
Into the Wild (2007)
A youngster leaves his working-class presence in quest for opportunity from connections and commitment. Surrendering his home, family, all belongings and giving every one of his reserve funds to a noble cause, Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) sets out on an excursion all through America. His possible point is to go to Alaska, into the wild, to invest energy with nature, with ‘genuine’ presence, away from the trappings of the cutting-edge world. In the 20 months paving the way to his Great Alaskan Adventure, his movements lead him on a way of self-revelation, to look at and welcome his general surroundings and to think about and recuperate from his upset youth and guardians’ damaging relationship. At the point when he arrives at Alaska, he discovers he is deficiently arranged of enduring the winter and so decides to get back in spring, just to locate the solidified stream he crossed in the snow has gotten a closed, seething downpour, and that he is caught. This movie passes on a great message of not running away from the truth but facing it to lead a better life. This movie was directed by Sean Penn with the star cast consisting of Emile Hirsch, Kristen Stewart, Hal Holbrook and Catherine Keener.
The secret life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Directed by Ben Stiller himself with a star cast consisting Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Sean Penn and Shirley MacLaine, this movie was released in 2013. The chief of the negative resources’ division of Life magazine, Walter Mitty, has been labouring for a long time for the magazine and has a dreary life, not going any place. He is an idealist, wandering off to a fantasy land into a universe of imagination all the time. Walter really likes the as of late recruited Cheryl Melhoff. However he is too bashful to even think about inviting her out on the town and he is attempting to get in touch with her by means of internet dating. The magazine is getting ready to discharge its last printed version. Walter has been the contact between the magazine and the secretive autonomous picture taker Sean O’Connell who has sent to him a bundle of negatives and a wallet as a present for his work. In any case, Walter can’t locate the negative that is absent. Walter has no way to contact Sean and finds a piece of information that he may be in Greenland. He chooses to venture out to Greenland to follow Sean down in the start of an incredible experience. This movie is a great stress buster watch.
Spectre (2015)
A directorial beauty by Sam Mendes with a star cast consisting of the very talented Daniel Craig, Lea Seydoux, Monica Bellucci, Christoph Waltz and Naomie Harris. Sepctre, this James Bond movie needs no introduction. This movie is filled with amazing cars, technology, action and beautiful women like every other Bond film. James Bond (Daniel Craig) is in Mexico seeking after a hired gunman. He murders the man, yet not in the wake of causing a ruckus. At the point when he comes back to England, his supervisor M is upset in light of the fact that an administration man known as “C” is attempting to close down the 00 system and supplant it with another reconnaissance framework which will basically stop security. M advises Bond to remain down, and he has Q (Ben Whishaw) infuse him with a GPS beacon. Security uncovers to Miss Eve Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) why he was in Mexico. He requests that her assistance by getting some data on specific individuals. He requests that Q ensure nobody realizes he left the U.K. He furthermore goes to Italy to converse with the contract killer’s better half. Subsequent to conversing with her, he goes to a gathering of an association, and when he’s found, they attempt to slaughter him, yet he gets away. Moneypenny discloses to him who the individual he is searching for is, and it ends up being somebody he knows. He goes to him and gets some information about the association. He at first declines until Bond acknowledges he is in dread for his girl, so Bond vows to secure her.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Released in 2018, this movie became an absolute stunner. Directed by Jon M. Chu, this movie revolves around the Cinderella story of an Asian woman meeting her Asian prince charming. The star cast consists of an all Asian cast withnConstance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina and many more at the front of the line. Though leads actress learns that her soon to be husband belongs to a crazy rich family, everything pulls through at the end. The visuals are based in Malaysia, Singapore and New York. The stunning night life of all the three places are done justice to in the movie. The beautiful mansions of Malaysia, the stunning CHIJMES complex in Singapore and local food destinations all have given the film an authentic flair. This was the first Asian majority film that Hollywood produced after 1993 and we are safe to say that, it was revolutionary.
Midsommar (2019)
Released in 2019, this folk horror film was directed by Ari Aster. The movies stars Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, Vilhelm Blomgren, Ellora Torchia, Archie Madekwe, and Will Poulter at centre stage. The movies involves a group of friends who find themselves in Sweden for a once in blue moon festival but are taken under by a Sweden cult. Shot mostly on the sunny hills of Sweden’s country sides, this movie gives a nature lover a treat to behold. Some parts of the movie were shot in the outskirts of Budapest but the director definitely does justice for his trickery. The beauty of Scandinavian coniferous forests, cottages or otherwise known as farmhouses and vast lush meadows is the perfect nature’s call one needs.
The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
This 2001 classic of the Lord of the Rings was directed by Peter Jackson. The star cast consisted of the stunning group of actors; Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom to name a few. The movie is an absolute stunner with all the gorgeous scenes that truly make you believe that you are seeing a fantasy land. Shot in New Zealand which also happens to be the director’s homeland does justice to the shots. The beautiful rain forests, the waterfalls and the sheer bliss wants one to pack their bags and head the beautiful island right away!
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
This coming of age movie was released in 2004. It was a biopic made of the memoirs written by a 23-year-old Ernesto Guevara who several years later became the famous ‘revolutionary Che Guevara’ by Walter Salles. The star cast consisted of Gael García Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna and Mía Maestro. The story revolves around a young adult taking a road-trip with his best-friend around South America, especially regions of Latin America. He comes face to face with the real evils of the modern world and political injustice takes the trophy. The movie does justice to the memoir as the scenes take us exactly where he went. From the grand Machu Pichu to the majestic Andes mountains to finally the leper colony located in San Pablo. This biopic is no short of a visual treat as for an eye opener.
The Legend of Tarzan (2016)
This movie was released in 2016. It was an adventure movie that brought back the Tarzan from our childhoods to modern times by director David Yeats. The star cast was an exceptional hit with Alexander Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson, Margot Robbie and Djimon Hounsou taking center stage. The movie revolves around the hardships that Tarzan now suffers from, while making a good living back in England along with Jane. Screen time gives us beautiful visuals of vintage England as the movie timeline is set during the 80’s. Once Tarzan goes back to Africa, though shooting was done in England the directors made it seem authentically in Africa. The grasslands and the wild nature of free animals really takes you to the Africa. Watching this would take you back to watching Discovery Channel’s latest shows. The movie does justice to the culture of the people who are good and those who are greedy but mostly to the ones who don’t speak our language.
How Much Further (2006)
The movie is set in Ecuador, as Esperanza and Tristaza attempt to travel from Quito to Cuenca, the town of the story. The trip usually takes five hours. After their bus is forced to stop due to local strikes, two women decide to hitchhike. There are two girls in the story, one from the local area trying to prevent the love of her life from getting married, and the other is a tourist from Spain. Their journeys take them to interesting places where they meet people who help them re-evaluate their purpose. There are some beautiful scenes from Ecuador in the film, which gives an accurate view of life in Ecuador.
The Way (I) (2010)
In The Way, directed by Emilio Estevez, a father walks Spain’s Camino de Santiago path in honor of his recently deceased son as a moving and inspiring tale. His 800 km journey is a challenging and emotional experience, as he is forced to form friendships with strangers and examine his life. The characters you encounter along the way are all driven by different personal reasons, making this a very eclectic story. It will certainly make you more curious about traveling along the Camino at some point in the future. The movie stars Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Deborah Kara Unger, and Yorick van Wageningen in lead roles.
180° South (2010)
The documentary 180 Degrees South tells the story of a group of friends on an adventure to Patagonia in homage to their heroes. Surfboards and climbing equipment are packed for a sailing and driving trip along South America’s coast, where they witness the destructive effects of industrialization. Consumers’ rapid consumption of disposable goods combined with modern commercial interests is ruining the planet, and this film shows some brave people trying to stop it. With its stunning scenery and spectacular soundtrack, the movie is a true work of art that combines a message and travel adventure into an art form.
One Week (I) (2008)
This 2008 film follows the motorcycle adventures of Ben Tyler, a school teacher who takes a fascinating road trip from Toronto to Tofino, British Columbia. In the course of his journey, he stops at a number of landmarks, trying to find the true meaning of life, before his marriage. The director of this movie, Michael McGowan, will take you on an incredible road trip across Canada. Gage Munroe plays the lead role in this movie, along with Joshua Jackson, Peter Spence, and Marc Strange.
Away We Go (2009)
This movie focuses on learning about the different lifestyles and ways of life of people from all over the world, and on looking into different choices and possibilities in life. In the story, a couple is expecting their first child. Upon discovering that they are expecting, they decide to travel across North America in search of culture and life they wish to provide for their child. This film inspires viewers to be different from the people around them rather than conform to their ideas and opinions. Sam Mendes directed this film which stars John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Allison Janney, and Carmen Ejogo.
Lost in Translation (2003)
It is a story about Bob & Charlotte, two travelers who visited Tokyo at the same time. The characters meet each other, form a friendship and experience confusion and hilarity during a visit to a strange and curious city. Charlotte is the bored wife of a professional photographer in town for professional reasons. Bob is an aging actor who stars in commercials. Despite being surrounded by millions of people, the pair suffer from a sense of loneliness. Besides being beautifully shot, the film depicts the humor and excitement that one can find traveling in a foreign country. Many of the little random experiences you encounter on vacation make the trip most memorable. Sofia Coppola directs this movie. She guides us through some of Tokyo’s most historical sites such as Daikanyama, Shinjuku Park Tower, Heian Jingu Shrine in Kyoto, Nanzen-ji Temple’s Sanmon gate, etc.
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Starring Diane Lane, Raoul Bova, Sandra Oh, and Lindsay Duncan, this film is directed by Audrey Wells. In order to change her life, a writer buys a villa in Tuscany impulsively. With exceptional wines, mouth-watering food, remote villas, and scenic rolling hills depicted, this romantic flick will inspire you to visit this Italian paradise as well as motivate you to ditch your urban life in favor of a chance at living Under the Tuscan Sun.
Eat Pray Love (2010)
The 2000 movie Eat Pray Love has inspired a lot of people to explore the world and seek a career or life outside of urban centers. A married woman realizes that she is unhappy in her marriage and that her life will need to be turned around. She embarks on a round-the-world journey to find herself after a painful divorce. Julie Roberts beautifully narrates her transformational journey through her voyage of self-discovery through eating in Italy, praying in India, and loving in Bali. There is something for every sense in this movie. Ryan Murphy directed this film, which stars Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, Richard Jenkins, and Viola Davis.
