Films for the Stuck at Home Traveler

Ever since I went on a class trip to Europe in 2018, I have been extremely eager to travel again. Between financials and an international pandemic, even traveling out of state has been near impossible. However, as a film major, I have an ingenious way to travel around the world without leaving the comfort of my own home. The following is a list of films that inspire me to travel again once the conditions of the real world get better.

Midnight in Paris (2011)

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Anyone who has talked to me about my travels knows I’m not the biggest fan of Paris. For me, it’s so over romanticized that it is nauseating. Somehow, though, this film makes me want to visit Paris in just the first five minutes alone. It does a fantastic job in showing the beautiful architecture and the history of the city. “Midnight in Paris” acts as an American love letter to this centuries old city. With the beauty of the city, paired with a star studded cast portraying historical figures, it’s definitely worth the watch!

Roman Holiday (1953)

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This film is a classic favorite of mine. A princess (played by Audrey Hepburn) runs away from her duties and spends a day in Rome with an American reporter ( played by Gregory Peck). Just because of the cast alone, who wouldn’t want to see this film? I think it’s beautiful to see how much Rome has and yet hasn’t changed in over 50 years. Add Hepburn’s timelessness and you’ve got a great film to watch on any rainy day.

In Bruges (2008)

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After a difficult job, two hit men hide out in Bruges, Belgium to wait until things cool down back at home. In this film our main character, Ray, really hates Bruges, even at one point referring to it as a shithole. Instead of hating Bruges, I think he and his partner showed audiences the beauty of this old medieval town. This film is an excellent black comedy perfect for adult audiences. Add the beautiful backdrop of Bruges, and it’s perfect for people who love to travel.

Black Orpheus (1959)

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This story is a unique twist of the Greek tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice. It takes the classic tale and sets it during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. To paraphrase my professor who first showed me it, even if you don’t like this film, you at least have to agree that “Black Orpheus” is a commercial to visit Rio. It’s a beautiful piece with themes of love and heartbreak, with music and dancing to celebrate the festival. It’s also one of the few films I’ve seen during this time period that was completely shot in color. Personally, I think "Black Orpheus" wouldn’t hit the same if it was shot in black and white. Adding color breathes new life into the beauty and nature of the setting. “Black Orpheus” is the perfect film to see when hoping for sunny days, just remember to bring the tissues.

Lost in Translation (2003)

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This film is about a lonely movie star and a conflicted newlywed who both are visiting Tokyo, Japan. The two strangers find each other and form an unlikely bond between them. What “Lost in Translation” does is capture the essence of being a stranger in a strange land. Both characters experience this feeling, which leads them to finding each other. You get to see Tokyo, both the people and the places, through the eyes of a visitor. It feels the most realistic to the feeling you get when you’re traveling in another country, which is why I recommend it to any traveler.

Luca (2021)

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This story is a sweet coming of age tale about a boy named Luca and his newfound friends enjoying the perfect summer. However Luca is hiding a big secret: he is actually a sea creature. “Luca” is the newest film on this entire list, along with being the only animated film. It also takes place in Portorosso, a fictional town. . Though it may not be a real place, it’s still based off of real life places. If you do want to visit Portorosso in real life like me, the town was heavily based on the Italian Rivera towns, Genoa and Cinque Terre. Mixing the beauty of the Italian countryside with this sweet story makes it a motivator to go on an adventure!