So since I've returned home from travel over a year ago. I have managed to live vicariously through nomadic screen plays and world music. I thought I would dedicate this post to my fellow study abroad classmates and anyone who misses traveling. Although your peers may not want to hear your repetitive map pin boasts, you can find comfort in becoming one with the singer/ protagonist of these pieces.
Top Travel Films
7. Before Sunrise 1995. Story of Jesse, played by Ethan Hawke, an American who came to Europe to meet up with his girlfriend, but they end up calling quits. He meets Julie Delpy on a train and they end up spending a night in Vienna, where they fall in love. This movie tries so hard to reject traveling cliches, that it in turn becomes one large cliche for college kids who want to reject the norm. Overall a mediocre traveling tale that gets lost in lovebird mush.
6. Eat Pray Love 2010. Julia Roberts plays original author Liz Gilbert, who goes to find herself by traveling to Italy, India, and Indonesia. The book is excellent, in fact it proved to be my refuge when I returned home. I related to Gilbert on so many levels. The motion picture version has some major changes; particularly the disregard of GIlbert's appreciation of foreign culture channeled into Western stereotypes (why does the guru have to have missing teeth and the Italian landlord an over emphasized moany accent?). I highly recommend the novel, but if you don't have a couple of weeks spend an hour or so learning about Gilbert's amazing story.
5. Lost in Translation 2003. Sophia Coppola has a ongoing theme of remorse in her films, but this one seems to do it best. Bill Murray plays an American man on business in Tokyo staying at the same hotel as Scarlett Johansson, who is traveling with her absent husband. Together, these two explore the Japanese city and in turn learn more about each other.
4. The Beach 2000. Leonardo DiCaprio plays an American youth who is attempt escaping reality though solo travel. This film has alot of great quotable nomadic statements. In his Thailand hostel, his neighbor smokes a joint with him epically commits suicide and leaves DiCaprio the map to the most beautiful beach in the world, that is practically unknown. At first he is hesitant, but takes two French individuals in the hostel with him on the journey, and together the discover a traveler's paradise (or hell). This movie is aesthetically pleasing and equally suspenseful.
3. Into the Wild 2007. Another novel turned into screenplay. Emile Hirsch plays Chris McCandless, a recent college grad who erases his identity, savings and travels the United States. McCandless is an idol for any of those rejecting routine. His story is fasciating and although details are left out in the film, Hirsch does a great job.
2. Matador's Mistress 2008. This is specifically for those fascinated with Spanish culture. Adrian Brody plays an up and coming matador who has fallen in love with a sleazy want to be actress, performed by Penelope Cruz. The film embodies flamenco, bullfighting, and other Spanish customs that I admire. Plus Cruz and Brody's passion for one another carry the films through various twists and turns. Hot actors with equally appealing scenery.
1. Motorcycle Diaries 2004. Gael Garcia Bernal plays a young Che Guevara who hits the South American trail with his friend to discover the great unknown. The two boys find themselves in the most interesting situations that come to transform them into learning which career paths they will take (Che's making international history). This film will make you laugh, cry, and want to eliminate your savings account into a plane ticket.
also in 1st place: 2 Days in Paris 2007. great chemistry between Julie Delpy and and Adam Goldberg. The Paris plot addresses cultural barriers with a humorist stance.
My Favorite World Artists
1. Beirut- orginally the solo musical project of Santa Fe, New Mexico native Zachary Francis Condon, and later expanded into a band. Condon started this band off of his worldly travels through Eastern Europe. They just came out with a new CD called The Rip Tide that is excellent and are currently touring (soon to play LA). Also, Condon has a documentary called Cheap Magic Inside in which he walks around Brooklyn and plays his entire CD amongst the New York streets. Start out with the track "Nantes" then expand.
2. Manu Chao-a French singer of Spanish origin (Basque and Galician). He sings in French, Spanish, Portuguese and occasionally in other languages. Chao's music is breathtaking, if not for anything other than the fat that he serenades in 7 different languages. Also I have heard he is insane live. Start out with the track, "Me Gustas Tu."
3. Yelle- a French band founded by lead singer and namesake, Yelle (Julie Budet) and GrandMarnier (Jean-François Perrier). If you want something to remind you of spending all night in a discoteque and emerging to see the sunrise, then Yelle is your girl. I recently just saw her at Coachella and she had amazing energy. Start off with the track "A Cause Des Garçons (Sta rmx)" and dance across borders.
4. M.I.A. -"Maya" Arulpragasam better known by her stage name M.I.A., is an English singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip-hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. She is an anthropologist in her own way, resurfacing world music into a new alternative form, while addressing global politics in her lyrics. She is awesome live. Although her most recent album sucked I still have to hand it to her for originality in an emerging music culture of conformity. Start off with old M.I.A. "Galang" and stay away from "Paper Planes (let the Clash have "Straight to Hell").
5. Buika-originally from Equatorial Guinea. She grew up in Mallorca among Spanish Romani people (Gitanos) - who imbued in her the traditional "cante" flamenco - as the only person of African descent in her neighborhood. Her music mixes flamenco and coplas withsoul and jazz. Awesome blend of two old forms of ethnic musical expression combined into one singer. I originally discovered her off the soundtrack to a Pedro Almdovar film and I recommend you start of with that track, "Volver".
6. Camille-born and raised in Paris, France. As a teenager she studied ballet and developed an interest in bossa nova music and American stage musicals. A French man I couch surfed with told me she was huge in France. She reminds me of a French Feist, Cat Power, or Lykke Li. Start off with the track "Assise."
No matter what the road is life. :)
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