A film that does well at the Oscars can’t half boost the tourism industry in the places it was filmed. Just ask Salzburg (Sound of Music), New Zealand (Lord of the Rings) or South Dakota (Dances With Wolves). And this year is no exception – a good result on February 23rd could send travellers flocking to the following destinations…
Mumbai
Film: Slumdog Millionaire (Best Picture)
The slums of Mumbai are as much the star of Slumdog Millionaire as the children that run through them. Before Danny Boyle’s flick turns into a soppy love story, its energy comes from the stylish cinematography and electric pace, and the slum setting helps this.
While it makes for a good film, touring around slums doesn’t exactly make for a stereotypical tourist experience, does it though?
That’s not what the chaps at Reality Tours and Travel (www.realitytoursandtravel.com) think. They take visitors to Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia, to get a glimpse of the ‘real’ India. They promise to show a whole host of activities being conducted in small, squalid spaces, such as “recycling, the making of clay pots, embroidery, bakery, soap-making, leather tanning and papad (poppadom) making.”
Meanwhile, the Bollywood-style song and dance scene at the end was filmed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus – Mumbai’s main train station.
Agra
Film: Slumdog Millionaire (Best Picture)
Of course, the other star setting in Slumdog is instantly recognisable. During one section of the film, the boys are posing as tour guides for the Taj Mahal.
For those who have been on the moon, it’s India’s most iconic building and was built by a former Mughal Emperor as a mausoleum for his wife. Some would say that’s a little over the top.
Luckily, the real life guides do a slightly better job than the children.
San Francisco
Film: Milk (Best Picture)
Much of the early years in Harvey Milk’s life were spent in and around Castro Street, the heart of San Francisco’s famous gay district. The film-makers chose to use smoke, mirrors, carpentry and camera trickery to return to give the area a 70s look rather than look elsewhere. They even went as far as giving the Castro Theatre a substantial touch-up and lick of paint.
Castro Camera – the shop that Milk owned – is now a gift shop.
The San Francisco City Hall was also used for many scenes, including the rallies featured in the film’s trailer.
Bruges
Film: In Bruges (Best Original Screenplay)
This Belgian city isn’t quite as dull as Colin Farrell’s character makes it out to be, and the film pretty much acts as a showreel.
Many of the city’s landmark buildings get a look in. These include the Groeninge art museum, the Grote Markt Belfry and the Church of Our Lady.
Ken stalks Ray in the Queen Astrid Park and Harry strides into town over the Minnewater Bridge, which is one of the major entry points to the city.
And, if you want to stay where the dubious duo stay, then head to the rather swanky Relais Bourgondish Cruyce.
Chicago
Film: The Dark Knight (Best Cinematography; Best Supporting Actor – Heath Ledger)
The Windy City was the main set for Christopher Nolan’s second Batman film, although other scenes were filmed in London, Liverpool and Hong Kong.
Batman looks out over Gotham City from the Sears Tower, he fights the Joker outside the Trump Tower and he first confronts him on South La Salle Street. The massive truck being flipped over wasn’t a special effect – they did it in the heart of the city.
Perhaps the most memorable scene is the ferry scene, however. The frightened passengers are loaded onto the boats at Navy Pier, which coincidentally is home to the IMAX theatre which hosted the film’s premiere.
Goerlitz
Film: The Reader (Best Picture)
Germany’s most easterly town was used for part of the decidedly uncheery Kate Winslet vehicle – other scenes were shot in Berlin.
The Old Town is rather pretty, but it was a run-down house in Landeskronstrasse that director Stephen Daldry wanted. The crew went a long way to ensure period detail, however. One street was cobbled over and two vintage trams were set running. The entire local transport system was disrupted, which must have pleased locals getting to work no end.
This article was originally written for Ninemsn.
Copyright David Whitley
