We think the ‘magic of the movies’ is how they’re able to transport us to far-off lands and fantastical worlds, without leaving our sofas. This year’s Oscar nominations are no different. With the 95th Academy Awards taking place this weekend, we’ve been wondering where your favourite films of the season were filmed and set. Will these destinations inspire your next holiday? Wherever you go, let our agents help you plan and make sure it’s a masterpiece.
The Banshees of Inisherin
The Baneshees of Inisherin has been nominated for a number of awards at the upcoming Oscars including Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Film, Best Music and Best Writing. It would however be hard to imagine the movie being such a success without the dramatic backdrop of Irish scenery to add to the film’s gravitas and power. While the island of Inisherin is fictional, the film’s real locations are the Irish islands of Achill – which was used for all of the scenes in the pub – and Inis Mór where the majority of the film takes place. Both islands feature dramatic Atlantic coastlines, rolling hills, gorgeous green pastures and landscapes, and towering cliffs which add to the sense of drama and connection to the natural world.
You can find out more about the island of Ireland and book your next trip here.
The Whale
Although The Whale is based in Idaho, all of the filming occurred in New York with much of the action taking place in lead character Charlie’s (played by Brendan Fraser) apartment. These scenes were filmed in the Umbra Soundstages in Newburgh, New York which features 4 production suites which have also been used to film the TV Shows Pretty Little Liars, HBO’s White House Plumbers and the recent film I Know This Much To Be True. Away from the apartment setting all filming is carried out in the beautiful Hudson Valley Region of New York.
National Geographic named Hudson Valley one of the Top 20 must-see Destinations, and it’s not hard to see why, with magnificent scenery, historic mansions, cultural treasures, and unique attractions drawing the attention of every type of traveller. The region has a claim to fame as the oldest wine produoucing region in the United States and as a natural heritage region it boasts incredible biological diversity and jaw dropping natural beauty. Find out more about the region and New York State here.
The Fablemans
Inspired by the life of legendary director Steven Speilberg, The Fablemans is filmed in a variety of locations across California and Arizona. Californian film locations include LA, Malibu Beach, and the famous Universal Studios. While filming in Arizona focused on the city of Tucson and Tucson Mountain Park. The Sonoran desert which spans both California and Arizona was also featured in the filming.
In many ways, the beauty of Arizona is embodied by its most famous natural landmark, the Grand Canyon. Like the Grand Canyon itself, Arizona is vast and ancient, a panorama of stunning colour and fascinating geology, with a history defined by American Indians and larger-than-life adventurers. But there is so much more to the Grand Canyon State than the Grand Canyon itself. Find out more here.
Tár
The movie Tár is a psychological drama film which focuses on the first female conductor of the Berlin Philarmonic Orchestra. The film is based on the contemporary classical music industry and is filmed in Berlin, Dresden and New York. Locations featured include the Savoy Berlin which was adapted to mimic The Carlyle Hotel on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and The Grand Garden Palace Hotel in Dresden, Germany. The majority of the film takes place in Berlin however which features the apartments used by the main character Lydia Tár throughout the film and is the main location where the film’s dramatic plot unfolds. The two main apartments also highlight the sections of old Western vs Eastern Berlin which adds another interesting element to the plot.
Feeling inspired? New York City has retained its status as one of the premier cities of the world for good reason. With a mixing pot of diverse cultures, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another city that is as vibrant and dynamic. The city that never sleeps has a huge amount to enjoy and explore from iconic landmarks to lesser-known attractions. Find out more here.
Fairytale architecture, soul-stirring scenery, vibrant cities, heart-warming gastronomy, and thousands of years of rich history all packed into one destination – Germany deserves a place on your travel bucket list. Whether you’re a culture vulture, adrenaline junkie, or an eco-conscious foodie – you’ll find something here that will see you returning home with a spring in your step and a smile on your face. Find out more.
Aftersun
Aftersun focuses on the relationship between a troubled father played by Paul Mescal (of Normal People fame) and his daughter Sophie played by the up-and-coming actor Frankie Corio. The film features the two embarking on a classic package holiday in the 90s to Turkey and features a variety of fantastic locations.
The majority of the filming takes place in the seaside town of Ölüdeniz in Fethiye which is popular with British Tourists and is famed for its beautiful blue lagoon. The town has stunning beaches and is the perfect place to work on your tan while enjoying a laid-back break.
The film’s hotel scenes are filmed at the Telmessos Neva Hotel in Hisaronu and the Turk Hotel in Ölüdeniz. Other locations featured in the film include Sultaniye which has long been Turkey’s most well-known Thermal Spa and has been visited by Jack Nicholson, David Bowie, and other celebrities and the Kaunos amphitheatre which dates back to the 4th Century BC.
Tragically, regions in Türkiye and Syria were recently struck by two powerful earthquakes which have so far caused the deaths of 50,000 people with 18 million people affected, many of whom need urgent supplies, including food and water. You can donate to the relief campaign here.
Causeway
Causeway shines a light on the mental health struggles that veterans go through when returning from active service with the film focusing on Lynsey (played by Jennifer Lawrence) who returns to her hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana after suffering a traumatic injury in Afghanistan. The film centres on her recovery along with the relationship she forms with a mechanic called James (played by Brian Tyree Henry).
Filming took place in multiple locations around New Orleans. The film is named after the city’s Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge, which is the largest bridge in the world stretching over a body of water. Neighbourhood filming locations play a key role in the plot and context of the film with different geographical areas within the city reflecting the divergent socio-economic backgrounds of the two main characters.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
Mrs Harris Goes to Paris follows a cleaning lady called Ada Harris (played by Lesley Manville) who falls in love with a Dior dress she sees in her client’s wardrobe and sets off to Paris to meet the designers and get a copy of her own.
Ironically, much of the filming actually takes place in Budapest but certain scenes are filmed in Paris and London to add to the authenticity and structure of the narrative. Shots are included of the Albert Bridge, Battersea Power Station, and a pub called the King’s Arms near Waterloo train station for the London filming locations. While Ada’s flat is based in London in the context of the narrative, the set of the flat was actually constructed in Hungary – although specific care was taken to make it as authentic as possible.
Parisian filming locations include Pont de Bir Hakeim to include shots of the Eiffel Tower and Central Paris while in a car ride scene and Pont Neuf which features the oldest bridge across the river Seine in Paris.
Hungary filming locations include the Budapest Operetta Theater, the Adria Palace, the World Heritage Site of Andrassy Avenue lined with stunning mansions and many more incredible locations.
Triangle of Sadness
Nominated for Best Picture, Triangle of Sadness focuses on an influencer couple, Carl (played by Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (played by Charlbi Dean) who agreed to attend a cruise for the elite for free in return for social media posts and promotion. Unfortunately, the cruise gets attacked by pirates which forces the couple and the other passengers to fend for themselves on a nearby island.
Filmed on the beautiful island of Evia, close to the Greek capital of Athens, and connected to the mainland via a bridge in the city of Chalkida, the island boasts incredible scenery, gorgeous beaches, rich historical sites to explore and so much more.
Filming locations on the island include Chiliadou Beach which was used for beach scenes and shots of the island. Meanwhile, the town of Katakola in Western Greece was used for outdoor cruise scenes.
Greece has an incredible number of stunning islands, along with a vibrant mainland with innumerable attractions to lose yourself in. Find out more here.
Women Talking
Women Talking focuses on a group of women in an ultra-conservative religious sect, who on uncovering abuse within their community have to decide how to respond to protect themselves and their children. Filming took place in the Greater Ontario region of Canada including extensive filming in a studio in the city of Toronto and on a farm outside of the city.
The scenes in the hayloft were filmed entirely in the Toronto studio which was big enough to construct the space while also giving the directors the ability to control time and weather conditions using a green screen. While the majority of the filming took place on a running farm just outside the city of Toronto. This helped immerse the actors in the natural scenery and conditions that the women in the film would have lived in, with many of the scenes filmed in the farm’s barn. Additionally, the crew also built other buildings to create a more realistic sense of community including a schoolhouse and a water tower.
Canada has so much to offer with incredible urban and rural spaces, fun activities for the whole family, easy travel connections and so much more. Find out more on our North America page here.
Tell It Like a Woman
Tell It Like A Woman focuses on seven stories of women around the world who each face challenging circumstances which they face wholeheartedly and overcome. Each of the short stories in the film is directed by women directors and features women protagonists including Cara Delevingne, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Hudson and many more.
With the local backgrounds of the protagonists, the film features locations around the world including Italy, India, Japan, and the United States.
Japan is an incredible country which seamlessly balances age-old traditions with the conveniences and attractions of the fast-paced 21st century. Here you can take a hike to the incredible Mount Fuji, explore bustling Tokyo, or explore Japan’s jaw-dropping countryside all on one trip!
Top Gun: Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick follows on from the cult-classic Top Gun with Tom Cruise reprising his role as Maverick for a new adventure, where he has to train up a fresh batch of Air Force graduates to take on a dangerous high-stakes mission. Like the original, the film features amazing aerial acrobatic sequences, which necessitated the use of airfields with jets for filming. Bases used for filming include Naval Air Stations in California, Nevada, and Washington.
The majority of the film’s scenes were filmed in California including Death Valley National Park, along with Los Angeles, San Diego, South Lake Tahoe, and El Dorado County. Some additional filming also took place in Washington State and Nevada.
In the US, you’ll never be short of things to do, as the land of the star-spangled banner has unbeatable diversity. From expansive deserts, soaring canyons, rich natural parks blanketed in forest, and of course the well-loved metropolitan centres of Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC and many more! Find out more here.
Elvis
Elvis charts the King of Rock and Roll’s rise to fame from childhood to the genre-defining artist he would later become. Filming took place in Queensland, Australia with sets recreated to match the iconic locations from his life as closely as possible.
Particular care was taken by the film crew to recreate the iconic Graceland Mansion on a farm in Queensland, with visits undertaken to the original house in Memphis. Furniture matching the original was specifically crafted and built to make the Queensland filming location as authentic as possible and the crew were even allowed to take paint specs from Graceland so they could match the interiors on set as closely as possible. Even the Queensland estate that the house is built on was sourced to mirror the original regarding its topography and scenic features. Other sets that were faithfully recreated include Elvis’s suite in what was the Las Vega’s International Hotel – now the Las Vegas Hilton – and Club Handy on Beale Street in Memphis which Elvis regularly frequented.
The King of Rock and Roll’s long-term hometown was of course Memphis, Tennessee and in this vibrant city, you can explore many of the iconic locations of the star’s life. Further afield in the state, you’ll also find a huge amount to sink your teeth into from rich history, unique cuisine, charming towns and cities and of course unforgettable rolling landscapes. Find out more here.
Gorgeous Queensland, Australia needs to be at the top of your travel list with one-of-a-kind wildlife, laidback culture and vibe, unsurpassed natural beauty including the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, bustling cities, and rich aboriginal history just waiting to be explored and experienced. Find out more here.
Feeling inspired? Book your next getaway now to walk in the footsteps of stars on an Oscars inspired adventure. Get in touch with our travel experts today by clicking the button below!
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