It’s the end of July, and I can guarantee that most of us haven’t really had much of a chance to vacation in 2020. With social distancing still in effect, we’ve been cooped up and are trying our best to not go outside (never mind to somewhere else entirely). So, here’s a quick list of films that can feel like temporary vacations for you, all within the comfort of your own home. Dig in!

Baraka/Samsara
Ron Fricke’s groundbreaking documentaries cover visual events all over the world in breathtaking quality. Baraka set a precedent back in 1992, as a continuation of Godfrey Reggio’s Koyaanisqatsi (another worthy recommendation, as is all of the Qatsi trilogy). Like meditating for an hour and a half (whilst getting in your dosage of the world’s beauty), Baraka is a truly indescribable experience. Its sequel Samsara is just as effective, and will make for a great followup should you want more.

Pauline at the Beach
Almost every film by Éric Rohmer feels like a destination getaway (see Claire’s Knee, The Green Ray, and many more), but Pauline at the Beach is the go-to film for me when it comes to wanting to soak in his obsession with vacationing and escaping. You can feel all of the sun’s rays, plus the constant beach activity will make you feel as though you’re truly there. Toss in homes and occupations that are entirely beach themed, and you have a bite sized feature that resembles a memory of your last trip (family drama included).

Lost in Translation
Tokyo plays a major character in Lost in Translation, so it’s only fair that I place it here. As much as the setting is daunting to outsiders, getting consumed by it is actually a luxury. Seeing characters wander around wide-eyed is part of the mystical charm this film possesses, as if you are being swept away by urban sprawl poetry. Can being disoriented be bad? Sure, but in Lost in Translation, not knowing where you are is absolutely magical.

The Before Trilogy
Since each film in The Before Trilogy is relatively short, you can make for a great three film affair here. You start off in Vienna with Before Sunrise and enjoy the city life here in full romantic bliss. Before Sunset plants you in Paris, and you see the followup unravel in real time. You wrap up in Greece with Before Midnight, and have to endure the uglier side of a lengthy relationship with a few kinks; however, the gorgeous scenery helps sweep the disfunction under the rug a little bit.

Y tu mamà también
All of the sex-obsession of teenagers aside, Y tu mamà también is a fantastic film for feeling like you’ve gone somewhere. This road trip across Mexico’s countrysides and smaller cities was meant to be an excursion away from the hot political climate at the time. However, for us, it’s a scenic slideshow of the highest level of beauty, and a handful of cases that will make you forget the world.

Manhattan
If you want to feel a bit more localized (or America bound), I find New York to be one of the best American places to be lost in. Therefore, Manhattan — the ultimate love letter to New York City — is my choice for such an itch. The city is framed exquisitely, and polished off with a gorgeous black-and-white finish. If this is your idea of a vacation, then leap into Manhattan’s addiction with New York and all of its architectural charms.

The Descendants
Underneath the difficult discussion at the centre of this film is a lengthy look at all of the beautiful sights of Hawaii. Even in the more challenging moments, you yourself are removed from your comfort zone and placed in the luscious Hawaii, with flowers and vegetation as far as the eye can see (let’s not forget those beaches, either). For the characters, this is just life. For most of us, this dismal dramedy takes place in an absolute paradise.

Whale Rider
Sure, a few films are shot in New Zealand, but how many are celebrating, well, New Zealand? Whale Rider is a great example of a visual tour of a hidden part of the country (particularly the Whangra community near Tolaga Bay), and the shoreline is constantly the scenic focal point of the film. Whale Rider is a wise choice if you’re looking for a cinematic getaway to a place you maybe didn’t know you even needed to see; it’s breathtaking.

Call Me By Your Name
A strong recent example I’ve brought up a number of times is Call Me By Your Name, simply because it showcases the countryside of retro Italy with such a favourable lens. You can feel the salt in the air, and smell the water nearby in almost every shot. Toss in the soothing sensation of falling in love, and you’ve got a destination film that will surround you with complete warmth and adoration.

Song to Song
For a completely different kind of vacation, there’s the return to the music festival scene. I recommend any concert film here. Otherwise, Song to Song is what you’re looking for: a film heavily invested in recapturing the sensation of being at a crazy music festival and watching your favourite bands on stage (you occasionally are on the stage, too). This is a fix for me, because not being able to go to concerts is one of my biggest experience losses of 2020.

Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.

Ten Films That Can Feel Like Vacations