Take a Vacation: 7 Films To Cure Covid Wanderlust
I’m at this point (and I’m sure I’m not alone in this) where I just miss traveling so much. Back in 2018, I went to both the east coast, and the south, and conquered my fear of flying to do so. After completing 3 separate week-long trips that year, I really had that urge to travel far and wide! I even received luggage for my birthday that year from my grandparents, so I was determined to put it to good use!
Unfortunately, in 2019, I had low finances, and too much on my plate to really go anywhere. I told myself I’d travel as much as possible in 2020, life permitting. Fast-forward to now, where I’ve spent the majority of 2020 traveling from my bed to the couch, and when I’m feeling really ambitious… Back to my room to put on leggings to travel across the street for an iced coffee, and then back to the couch.
Nowadays, if I feel like going somewhere wanderlust worthy, I escape into books, television, and film. I’ve found films particularly have the visual appeal I’m craving. So I’ve compiled a list of films to watch when you feel like taking a pandemic approved trip into your TV! These are in no particular order, by the way. I can’t do a top 10 to save my life, so here are 7 great films to cure (or worsen) your urge to travel!
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Takes place in: Northern Italy
Elio is a teenager who lives in a villa in Northern Italy in the ‘80s. His father mentors an academic assistant for the summer named Oliver. Elio shows Oliver around their village, and quickly builds an amicable friendship. After a few jealous and coy interactions, they become romantically attracted to one another.
I chose this film because director Luca Guadagnino does an incredible job of showing off the timeless beauty of Italy. It perfectly encapsulates a summer italy vibe. After playing Assassins Creed II, I really wanted to go to Italy. I have so many friends tell me that you can taste the sun in their fruit, tomatoes, and olives. I live in Minnesota, with 5 beautiful months of winter. I’d kill to eat some sun-kissed fruit someday. Until then, I have Call Me By Your Name to take me there in spirit.
Available for renting on Youtube.
Ramen Heads (2017)
Takes place in: Japan
This documentary follows the king of ramen– chef, mentor, and business owner of no. 1 ramen shop in Japan, Osamu Tomita. This film delves into the rich history of Ramen in Japan. Tomita explains the process of how he makes his world-famous recipe for the best bowl of Ramen. This doc also touches on the different regions of Japan, and how Ramen varies by region, and by technique.
My stomach chose this film! I love ramen. I definitely have my own favorite shops in Minneapolis, but this took my love of ramen to another level. With beautiful Japanese scenery, and savory slow-motion shots of the ramen being made, I had to include this film. Going to Japan is at the top of my travel bucket list. I’ve loved the culture and the art of Japan since I was a child, so the food naturally came along with that. I know my stomach would be smiling after a trip there, because of how loud it gets while watching Ramen Heads!
Available to stream on Hulu
Before Sunrise (1995)
Takes place in: Vienna, Austria
This film follows a young American man who meets a French girl on the train while in Europe. They hit it off and decide to exit the train in Vienna to explore the city together. As the title suggests, they only have until sunrise before they have to part ways. The majority of the film follows the two galivanting around the city, discussing their ideologies and personal philosophies on life.
I’ve never felt inclined to go anywhere in Europe really. Once I saw a few movies based there, I finally understood the general appeal. But I knew for certain that I wanted to go someday after seeing this film. I don’t expect to fall for some European person on a train, but it is pretty romantic, or whatever. This film made me feel like it’s possible to go to another country and make a friend. The Vienna backdrop is definitely a mood booster.
Available to stream on HBOnow or HBOmax
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Takes place in: Koriko, a fictional city inspired by Stockholm
Kiki is a young witch who leaves her childhood family to find a city of her own to call home. She arrives to Koriko by broomstick, where she immediately feels like a fish out of water. After finding a bakery to rent a room from, she starts her own delivery-by-broom service, and quickly learns the ups and downs of maintaining a proper work-life balance. This is a whimsical animated film by the brilliant Hayao Miyazaki.
Bear with me, because this is… an animated film. As an 11-year old girl, this was one of the first films that truly inspired me to travel to new and different places. Watching this tween witch decide to leave her family to start her own life was so bizarre. Kiki totally experiences culture shock, which I didn’t know was a thing back then, but when I got older I was like “yeah, kind of like when Kiki moves to that city and needs to learn the rules there?” It was based on many European cities, but I read it was specifically designed to look like Stockholm. I think that all the Studio Ghibli films do a great job of transporting you to enchanting places that are more beautiful than humanly imaginable. If Stockholm looks anything like Kiki’s Delivery Service, then that will be the first ticket I book after getting my Covid vaccine.
Available to stream on HBOMAX.
Frances Ha (2012)
Takes Place in: New York City (and like 10 minutes in Paris)
Frances is a 27-year old dancer who lives in Brooklyn, NY. While everyone in her life seems to be moving toward more grown-up endeavors, she struggles to simply exist in the city while pursuing her passion for dance. After her best friend and roommate moves out to live with her boyfriend, Frances moves from place to place, all while also looking for a way to be a financially stable millennial while pursuing her craft.
Frances Ha walked so that Lady Bird could run. It had Greta Gerwig before her directorial debut because she’s married to the director, Noah Baumbach. It encapsulates two things: First, the actual honest to god feeling of BEING in a 2010’s NYC. Second, the feeling of being millennial woman pursuing a passion while struggling to make ends meet. I’ve seen NYC based films before, but they all show “old” New York. This film is very “new” New York. I’ve only ever been there twice, and both times were to see some close friends. This film does a good job of capturing the feeling of drunkenly waiting with friends for the train or looking for a bodega with an ATM. Also, the dialogue seems so natural to how people actually talk there. For that reason, when I miss NYC, I watch it!
Available to stream on Showtime
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Takes place in: Singapore
Rachel Chu is an economics professor at NYU, who is dating Nick Young, who is secretly from a very rich family in Singapore. He invites her to Singapore for a wedding, and she soon realizes that his family is insanely wealthy. She didn’t grow up wealthy, but she shrugs it off and decides to be a part of the festivities anyway. Her goal is to get to know his family, but she is concerned that their lifestyles are just too different.
Confession time! I’m a huge sucker for a romantic comedy. I chose this film because the views are insane. Though often-times outlandish, this film does a great job of showing off really lavish events in mansions or private islands, while also showing off some local night food markets in Singapore! I read once that after the movie premiered, there was a surge in tickets to Asia. I totally believe it! I said this earlier about Japan, but Asia in general has an abundance of culture, and great food. I would come back to Minnesota 10lbs heavier if I ever traveled to Singapore. For now, I experience it exclusively through Crazy Rich Asians.
Available to stream on HBOnow and HBOmax
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Takes Place in: Italy (Tuscany, Rome, Positano)
Frances Mayes is a writer going through a divorce. After her friends convince her to take their tickets on a gay tour through Italy, she stumbles upon a house listing for a villa in Tuscany. On a whim, she buys the villa. She renovates the home and heals her emotional wounds in the Italy sun. Indulging in new cultures and beliefs, she works to make Tuscany a cozy place to live in bliss.
I defended it before, and I’d do it again! Romantic Comedies for life. I love them. This one really doesn’t need much explaining, but yes! Italy, sunshine, old architecture, and a funny story make this an easy movie to watch when you’re feeling glum. I actually learned after watching it while writing this that the movie is based on an actual autobiography of the same name! I may have to read it to know the nitty gritty details of moving forward into a happy life in Italy!
Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video
