Location shooting may sound like an obvious kind of term, but it’s actually quite specific. It refers to the use of a physical place, usually pre-existing, to represent a set. “On location” doesn’t always mean the location is truthful on screen however (think Spaghetti Westerns, which were shot in Italy and Spain, but meant to inspire the traditional American West.)
But sometimes the actual location that the films scene is taking place in is the same as where it is shot. This tone of authenticity has become vastly more popular in recent years, as audiences have become more savvy and desire a sense of truth and responsibility from filmmakers more than ever before.
These 10 trips visit countries that have lent a great deal to filmdom. In most cases they are of the “authentic” location shooting variety, but in other cases, such as Canada, they are locations that were used to represent other places for purposes of ease and finance.
Get ready to walk in the footsteps of classic cinema as you travel around the world:
Unforgettable France
The unofficial official birthplace of film, France is a key place to visit for movie buffs. It was here that the Lumiere Brothers shot the famous minute long clip of a train arriving at a station in La Ciotat. The legendary story of audience members ducking as the train moved toward the camera may or may not be true, but there is no doubt of the film's significance.
Since that time, France has remained firmly at the forefront of filmmaking - often a leader and innovator. Who could forget the haunting surrealist film “Un Chien Andalou”? Or Godard’s French New Wave masterpiece “Breathless”, which is still the benchmark used to teach young film students about different editing styles.
Today, France has been an extremely popular setting for filmmakers. From the exciting intrigue of “The Da Vinci Code” to the light humor and off beat storytelling of Woody Allen in “Midnight in Paris”, France has a beauty and a class largely unequal, both in reality and imagination.
Family Kenya & Tanzania Safari
Africa has played host to some true heavy hitters of cinema. From intense historical dramas like the "Battle of Algiers", to summer popcorn romps like "The Mummy". But perhaps none quite so classic as the soaring romantic epic "Out of Africa".
Taking place primarily in Kenya, this is an example of life imitating art, as the film was shot in both Kenya and Tanzania. This contributes greatly to the look and feel of the film which uses this realistic setting to compliment the drama of the story.
Kenya is one of the most and oldest traditional safari destinations in Africa, having played host to safari goers since the early decades of the 20th century. This includes a prolific visit from then-princess Elizabeth II in 1952, who effectively became Queen during her stay in Kenya.
China Highlights and Walk The Great Wall
China’s ancient past has beckoned storytellers for centuries, and numerous films have been shot here. In particular, Chinese actors have been instrumental in catapulting martial arts to the mainstream, making the country even more fascinating for filmmakers.
Take the ridiculously gorgeous 2000 film “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”. This film elevated traditional martial art forms to such a degree that the lines between them and dance were blurred beyond recognition. Actors soar up sheer walls and give chase over rooftops in the Forbidden City, they fly in intricate patterns, sword fighting among the high reaches of thick bamboo forests. China’s landscape, both natural and manmade is as much a character in the film as the human actors.
Because many mainstream films that take place here feature major sites - which have become synonymous symbols of China (such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City) tours to China will usually visit these highlights.
Canadian Rockies: National Parks Westbound
A lot of major Hollywood movies and television are shot in Canada because it’s cheaper. "X-Men" fans in particular will recognize multiple locations from across the entire franchise. Similarly, the team behind "Brokeback Mountain", which took place in Wyoming, but was shot primarily in Alberta, utilized the vast and largely undisturbed landscape to its advantage.
Toronto is a very well known arts city, hosting one of the major film festivals on the circuit to Sundance. But it’s also where one of Canada’s prized heroines came to life in the "Anne of Green Gables" series. Though set in Prince Edward Island, most of this trilogy was shot in Toronto’s countryside. Fans of the books and movies however will still find joy in visiting the many Green Gables attractions on Prince Edward Island.
Tunisia Explorer
Star Wars has once again entered the world’s imagination with the surge of new movies coming out, produced by Disney who now own the story rights.
But whether you’re an old fan or a new fan, there’s no denying the staying power of the epic set in a galaxy far far away. Tunisia was the location that first brought the story into a sense of reality for moviegoers in the 1970s. The movie opens in Space, but then we are introduced to the planet Tatooine where Luke Skywalker lives his quiet farm life.
The real life location in Tunisia actually inspired a lot of elements in the film, including the planet name. Tataouine is the name of a city near the main filming locations in Matmata, the traditional sunken dwellings of which were hardly altered at all for shooting. Visitors have been visiting Matmata for years, though in recent times, turmoil in the region has meant tourism took a hit.
Going on a guided tour to Tunisia is going to greatly increase your enjoyment at seeing these sights as well as help with safety.
England, Wales & Scotland
The United Kingdom is home to some of the most famous writers, actors, and film locations in the world. The many castles and open spaces throughout the country have served to represent real homes and fantastical settings for years.
Most tours that travel through the UK spend a good chunk of time in England, where you’ll visit many popular sites recognizable from film. Starting perhaps with Oxford University, which was used prominently through the Harry Potter series, as well as used as a location for Howards End and The Madness of King George.
Venturing out into the countryside, you might visit Derbyshire which is home to Haddon Hall. This Tudor castle has been everything from the imposing home from “Jane Eyre”, the residence of pompous Prince Humperdink in “The Princess Bride”, and interiors from the 2005 version of “Pride & Prejudice”.
Wardour Castle in County Wilshire is a unique location, used for the film “Robin Hood Prince of Thieves”. It was the subject of a violent siege in 1693 and never fully repaired, though from certain angles this is hard to tell. For this reason, the same building could be used to depict both a pre and post attack Locksley home in the film.
Elsewhere in the UK, you of course have the battlegrounds from Braveheart in the Scottish Highlands, and of course the mysterious last shots of The Force Awakens were shot in Skellig Michael, off the coast of Ireland’s County Kerry.
Highlights of Peru Summer 2018
The 2004 film “The Motorcycle Diaries” was shot throughout Peru, depicting the time that Ernesto Guevara spent there before he became known by his more famous moniker “Che”.
In 1952, Guevara went on an extended motorcycle journey through South America. The film is a biopic that follows his footsteps, using the journal his wrote along the way documenting his experience. The trip spanned several countries, but Peru is a great place to visit for fans of this film because one of the stops was Machu Picchu.
Besides being a wonderful historic site to visit, Machu Picchu has another interesting film connection. The man credited with discovering the site and introducing it to the western world, Hiram Bingham, is supposedly the real life inspiration for Indiana Jones!
