5 Films To Satisfy Your Wanderlust
By Grace Dodd
Travelling is off the table at the moment, and although it’s not the top priority for most during this pandemic, it’s certainly something a lot of us are daydreaming about. For someone who has always loved the stress of packing suitcases, the joy of sleepy airports early in the morning, and the wave of humidity that grazes your cheeks as you step off the plane, I’ve been spending too much time wide-eyed, flicking through my camera roll and photographs of old trips.
We might not be able to hop into a plane seat with no leg room to explore new cities, but the wonderful world of film can transport you to wherever you choose to go. When this is over, we’ll book those cheap flights, float in salty seas, and finally visit the places we’ve been dreaming of. For now, I hope these films satisfy the wanderlust within you, and perhaps even inspire your next trip around the globe.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014, dir. Wes Anderson)
Watch with: a cup of tea is the only companion you’ll need for this one.
The Grand Budapest Hotel is a sumptuous, pastel treat. Set in a fictional town inspired by Eastern Europe, it depicts beautiful, mysterious landscapes and architecture. Watch snow-dusted landscapes pass you by in an old-fashioned train; run through small, intricately decorated villages, and spend time in the mystifying Grand Budapest Hotel. The perfect remedy for the grey days of quarantine, this charming ensemble film by Wes Anderson brings a host of colourful and hilarious characters to the screen.
The Sound of Music (1965, dir. Robert Wise)
Watch with: your favourite people (even if it’s online).
Another uplifting masterpiece, The Sound Of Music not only reels in nostalgia, but also transports you to Austria, with its infamous rolling hills, quaint, small villages and idyllic rivers. The locations are just as lush and delightful as the iconic soundtrack, so spend a lonely afternoon with a cup of tea, and let Julie Andrews take the reins.
Y tu mamá también (2001, dir. Alfonso Cuarón)
Watch with: a box of tissues.
Y tu mamá también is the rachous, wild story of two best friends, the older woman they desire, and a road trip that changes their lives. Initially set in the bustling, searing hot Mexico City, the trio’s road trip makes its way through rural Mexico, to small bars, run-down motels and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. A sensual, thought-provoking coming of age tale obsessed with sex and death, Y tu mamá también portrays loneliness and self-discovery against the backdrop of Mexico in metamorphosis; it’s a story that will inspire a trip to the beautiful country the next time it becomes possible.
Roman Holiday (1953, dir. William Wyler)
Watch with: good ice cream and a huge smile on your face.
Sometimes, in moments of darkness, loneliness and fear, all we need is a love story to believe in. Roman Holiday is exactly that. A black and white classic with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck as its romantic leads, it illustrates a summer in Rome. The film is charming and fun, and you’ll be researching Rome for hours on end after your first watch. Infinitely sweet, Roman Holiday is the warm hug we all desperately need right now, but can’t have.
Mamma Mia! (2008, dir. Phyllida Lloyd)
Watch with: a space cleared in your living room, for spontaneous dancing.
I feel like I’d be committing some sort of crime if I was to exclude Mamma Mia from this list. A feminist celebration of women, this film is pure joy and escapism. So, go ahead: dance to the ABBA soundtrack in your living room, make a Pinterest board of your future trip to Greece, and consider setting up your own hotel in a country you’ve fallen in love with.