Like a film reel that threads onto the big screen magnifying stories, so too, do we weave our own stories filled with epic plots and breathtaking images when we travel. Movies are pretty great for allowing us to envision the sights, sense the culture, explore the politics, and live the emotions of these wonderful destinations, if only for a short time ( as long as the film lasts).
Cinema is undeniably where stories come to life and travelling to one of the iconic destinations where all of the action takes place is dream made reality. This is why we’ve created the Opodo travel guide, Cities in 8mm! Filled with great cities the guide gives you a front-row seat to the best movie sites. For now, get ready to discover Mumbai, India, a loved destination, through some of the most iconic movie scenes in our tour of ten films. Lets go to the movies!
Slumdog Millionaire
The plot: The young Jamal Malik is on the verge of winning 20 million rupees to the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire ” but the police just stop before the last question for cheating suspicions. He then explains how he knows all the answers to the questions with his adventures in the slums of Mumbai, his family stories and his lost love.
Fact sheet : Directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan in 2008, with Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor.
Why it is a must see:
- For its striking soundtrack.
- For its undeniable success among both critics that in viewers.
- Because it has received 8 Oscars, 7 BAFTAs, 4 Golden Globe Awards and a Goya Award in 2009.
- For its tribute to Bollywood cinema and its leading actors, including Anil Kapoor.
Gandhi
The Plot: The fim tells Mahatma Gandhi’s life and his struggle for Indian independence until his assassination in 1948.
Fact sheet : Directed by Richard Attenborough in 1982, with Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen, Martin Sheen and John Gielgud.
Why it is a must see:
- Because Ben Kingsley portrayed a phenomenal and convincing role as Gandhi.
- Because the film earned 8 Oscars, five Golden Globe Awards and five BAFTA in 1983.
- Because this film allows you to get to know the history of Indian independence and its spiritual leader, Mahatma Gandhi.
The Darjeeling Limited
The plot: Francis, Peter and Jack are three brothers whose father died the previous year, and so they decide to take a journey aboard a train to northern India. They live many crazy experiences and will run into a few unusual encounters.
Fact sheet: Directed by Wes Anderson in 2007, with Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman.
Why it is a must see:
- Because it inspires a train ride to India.
- Because there are exceptional landscapes of India.
- Because of the great trio of actors, combined with the special touch of Wes Anderson.
The Life of Pi
The plot: Taken from Yann Martel’s bestselling novel, “Life of Pi”, is the film that tells the fantastic story of a young Indian, Piscine Molitor Patel, and his family, on board a cargo ship that crosses the Pacific Ocean.
Fact sheet: Directed by Ang Lee in 2012, with Suraj Sharma, Irfan Khan, Tabu and Rafe Spall.
Why its a must see:
- Because he won the Oscar for Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Film of the music, Best Visual Effects in 2013 and many other awards international.
- The special effects and graphics are suberb.
Rang de Basanti
The plot: A young London filmmaker decides to go to India to make a film and follow the footsteps of his grandfather, a member of the British police force at the beginning of the war of Indian independence. On site, they hire a group of young Indian revolutionaries to play the roles but soon they express their doubts about such a business in a country that still suffers from many ills, especially corruption and widespread injustice.
Fact sheet : Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra in 2006, with Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor and Sharman Joshi.
Why it is a must see:
- For its great social and political critique of contemporary India.
- Because it allows you to discover the history of Bhagat Singh, an Indian revolutionary.
- Because the biting style, is far from the stereotypes often associated with Bollywood.
