Tag Archives: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

Best Europe Travel Films (10+1list)

Best Europe Travel Films

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best Europe Travel Films – these films shouldn’t be confused with the Road-movies category made by European directors (though a few of them Europe-Travel-Filmsin the list does fulfill that criteria as well).

This particular list of movies, for them the locations are as important as the characters in the narrative, and they are meant to inspire you to travel to the stunning European cities so rich in beauty, culture and heritage.

To travel is to live and as they say ‘when you travel far enough you meet yourself‘. And it’s so true! In each of these films you will find the characters somehow discovering themselves at the end of their romantic/emotional or spiritual/adventurous journeys!

Hope you start packing your bags for Europe soon after watching these films! (No documentaries included in this list though.)

10. How Much Further (2006)

Qué tan lejos (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNnzrllQlzQ

Europe-Travel-FilmsPlace to Visit: Ecuador

Two girls on a bus-ride to the city of Cuenca, but due to certain unavoidable reasons they finally decide to hitchhike their way. They meet interesting people, they have fun and experience the journey of their lives!

Directed by Tania Hermida, a pretty underrated travel drama with superb landscapes and a very well narrated plot.

9. The Way (2010)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnTpJEFlj5g

Europe-Travel-FilmsPlace to Visit: Spain

A father (Martin Sheencarrying the ashes of his adult son completes the historical pilgrimage to honor his son’s desire to finish the journey.

Directed by Emilio Estevez, this emotional film takes us through a enchantingly scenic walk from the French border through northern Spain – known as The Way of St. James or Camino de Santiago.

8. Copenhagen (2014)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivNMSxPE-_w

Europe-Travel-FilmsPlace to Visit: Denmark

A guy comes to Copenhagen to find about his grandfather’s past but soon enough he falls in love with a girl only to find out later that she is a minor!

Directed by Mark Raso, this charming film is essentially a love-story but it will help you explore the beautiful and historic Danish capital; a perfect movie for romantic wanderers! 

7. The Trip (2010)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9bPJmy68Rs

Europe-Travel-FilmsPlace to Visit: England

Two friends Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon (playing themselves) travels across the North Country of England in order to write their food and travel experiences for a magazine. 

If comedy, good food and traveling makes you happy then this first chapter of director Michael Winterbottom‘s The Trip Trilogy is definitely worth your time!

The other two films of ‘The Trip Trilogy’ are The Trip to Italy (2014) and The Trip to Spain (2017).

6. In July (2000)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr7WImqnKBM

Europe-Travel-FilmsPlace to Visit: Germany, Turkey

A professor (Moritz Bleibtreu) in search for his soulmate is ready to travel all across Europe, from Hamburg to Istanbul but does he really know who is his true love?

Directed by Fatih Akin, a brilliant tale of adventure and passion, full of comic moments and yet so romantic. Probably the best road-movie I have ever seen!

4. Midnight in Paris (2011)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_3gIxrcWK8

Europe-Travel-FilmsPlace to Visit: France

Every midnight a nostalgic screenwriter (Owen Wilson) mysteriously goes back to the golden age of Paris – the 1920s, and there he finds his inspiration!

Directed by Woody Allen who has made numerous films focusing on many cities around the world but this Oscar wining film is special – Paris has never been so romantic!

5. A Room with a View (1985)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFIPjRFuaHA

Europe-Travel-FilmsPlace to Visit: Italy

When you visit a city as beautiful as Florence you surely deserve a view from your hotel room!

Directed by James Ivory, this brilliant romantic drama (nominated for 8 Oscars, won 3) celebrates both love and passion as well as the vistas of the picturesque city. Trust me, this movie is the reason for many to plan a visit to Italy!

4. Mamma Mia! (2008)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiVnD9i7BpE

Europe-Travel-FilmsPlace to Visit: Greece

A fun-filled musical starring Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth among others; the backdrop being the gorgeous Greek landscapes surrounded by the vast blue oceans.

Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, if you adore ABBA and Greece, this is THE film for you!

3. Kings of the Road (1976)

Im Lauf der Zeit (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zq-EBhErEI

Europe-Travel-FilmsPlace to Visit: Germany

A film-projection-equipment repairman and a heart-broken young man team up to travel along the East-German border – an unknown adventure begins!

The third film of the Road-movie Trilogy directed by acclaimed Wim Wenders, with the German countryside in the background this is a brilliant piece of Cinema both artistically and intellectually.

The other two films of the ‘Road-movie Trilogy are Alice in the Cities (1974) and Wrong Move (1975).

2. Before Sunrise (1995)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25v7N34d5HE

Europe-Travel-FilmsPlace to Visit: Austria

A guy meets a girl on a train and they instinctively decide to spend one evening together, trying to know each other while roaming around the picturesque city of Vienna!

The beautifully romantic first installment of the renowned Before Trilogy directed by the acclaimed Richard Linklater.

The other two films of the ‘Before Trilogy are Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013).

  1. The Spanish Apartment (2002)

L’Auberge Espagnole (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsvJFtUDfl0

Europe-Travel-FilmsPlace to Visit: Spain

During his ‘Erasmus year’ a young French guy goes to Barcelona and rents a room with another five people all coming from different countries and speaking different languages!

The first part of the famous Spanish Apartment Trilogy directed by Cédric Klapisch, a brilliant comedy that portrays  the multicultural spirit of youth and the beauty of Spain like never before!

The other two films of the ‘Spanish Apartment Trilogy are Russian Dolls (2005) and Chinese Puzzle (2013).

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. EuroTrip (2004)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_Eu0X3B6OM

Europe-Travel-FilmsPlace to Visit: Europe

Dumped by his girlfriend a guy plans a sudden trip (backpacking Europe) with his crazy friends.

Directed by  Jeff Schaffer, Alec Berg and David Mandel, this one is a very popular sex comedy, full of half-naked teenagers, adult jokes and slapstick moments. But then again it’s all about fun and traveling all across the Europe!

A few other films that definitely inspire us to travel to Europe are Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Roman Holiday (1953), Zorba the Greek (1964)Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), Local Hero (1983), A Good Year (2006), The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005).

Poster courtesy: www.imdb.com.

Dil Chahta Hai – the film that redefined friendship

Dil Chahta Hai – the film that redefined friendship.

written by Souranath Banerjee

Bollywood since it’s early days, has always been an expert in portraying ‘romanticism’ on celluloid, the classic ‘love story’, a specialty that has been experimented and mastered through years of relentless practice.

But then, when it comes to ‘friendship’ being the primary focus of a film, they would first try to convince you with either ‘love-triangles’ Dil-Chahta-Hai-posteror ‘brothers-separated-in-their-childhood-but-later-united-to-avenge’ kinda concepts!

If not, then you will have to choose from films like Chashme Buddoor (1981), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) or Andaz Apna Apna (1994) which somehow aren’t primarily made to celebrate ‘friendship’.

And when you are still not convinced, the memorable song ‘yeh dosti hum nehi todenge’ would be played ceremoniously from our favorite film Sholay and the topic of ‘friends and friendship’ will be closed then and there.

Well, that was the situation before 2001.

In the year 2001, a film Dil Chahta Hai was made and it not only won the National Award for that year but also redefined the concept of friendship in Indian Cinema forever.

Super-talented writer/director Farhan Akhtar‘s first film, who later turned out to be a brilliant actor, producer and singer as well!

Film trailer for a quick recap.

The film Dil Chahta Hai, a comedy-drama, is based on three friends whose friendship is tested as they go through a period of transition in their lives. From the enjoyable, carefree college days to accepting responsibility and trying to deal with their jobs and relationships with their recently-earned maturity.

The film was so unique not only as a young and fresh concept, but also for it’s innovative overall treatment.

The leads characters – Akash (Aamir Khan), Sid (Akshaye Khanna) and Sameer (Saif Ali Khan); they as individuals and also their superb chemistry in-between themselves were undoubtedly the life of the film.

Three friends, a sudden plan, and a long drive to Goa; since Dil Chahta Hai, such road-trips have become a trend for the youth of India!

And then of course, their three love affairs – Shalini (Preity Zinta), Tara (Dimple Kapadia) and Pooja (Sonali Kulkarni), who creates enough drama in their lives but also in a way completes them.

A trend-setter in many ways, the film revived Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Khanna’s career, helped Dimple Kapadia to re-establish herself as a powerful actress, made composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy as famous as they should be, and most importantly opened the gates for innumerable friendship-oriented films to be made.

Jhankaar Beats (2003)Rang De Basanti (2006), Rock On!! (2008), 3 Idiots (2009), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Delhi Belly (2011), Kai po che! (2013) and even Go Goa Gone (2013) and Grand Masti (2013) and many other Bollywood films that kept on exploring (mostly exploiting) ‘friendship’ with the same ‘three friends bonding’ formula.

Dil-Chahta-Hai-posterDil Chahta Hai, when it released was a decent commercial success, specially among the urban younger generation (i believe the film’s primary target audience).

And the critics applauded its sensitivity too.

The film Dil Chahta Hai though coated with enough comedy, is actually a pretty matured film that sheds a very realistic perspective on growing up and being capable of respecting other’s sentiments.

But the best part of the film is neither the story, or the brilliant performances nor the complete set of catchy songs; it’s actually the little funny situations here and there and the perfectly timed dialogues to complement them!

Hum cake khane ke liye kahin bhi jaa sakte hai

Aaj Pooja, kal koi dooja

Ya toh dosti gehri hai … ya yeh photo 3D hai

Perfection ko improve karna mushkil hota hai

These and many more such hilarious dialogues are the first things that come to our mind when we think of Dil Chahta Hai, and they only make the film such fun to watch every single time.

If somebody, new to Bollywood, would ask me to recommend one single film that he/she needs to watch – I would definitely suggest Dil Chahta Hai. Bollywood at its best!

Poster courtesy: www.imdb.comwww.india-forums.comwww.filmycurry.com.