Locations worthy of an Oscar
By Roberta Geraci
With the Oscars just around the corner, the film awards season is coming to its climax. While actors and actresses are frequently praised for their performances, in lots of films the real star is the location. An excellent setting can be central to the storyline, provide an incredible backdrop or in some cases be an important character.
So in order to award these spectacular settings their place in the spotlight, below are a list of five of the best film locations from around the world and the films that feature them. Action!
Lattitude volunteers exploring some of the peaks in New Zealand, taken by Sam
1. New Zealand – The Lord of the Rings
While Middle Earth is an entirely fictional place the stunning landscapes seen in the Lord of the Rings trilogy are situated in various places across New Zealand. Director Peter Jackson a native New Zealander did more to boost the tourist industry in the islands than anyone else and the Lord of the Rings went on to become on of the largest grossing franchises in cinema history. With The Hobbit due on our screens again this year, New Zealand’s stunning vistas will return together with Hobbiton, which is now open in New Zealand to guided tours!
2. Hollywood, California – The Artist
What would a list about film locations be without the spiritual home of cinema, Hollywood. The Artist is the hot favourite to win best film at the Oscars this year with its 1920’s romantic view of Hollywood and the film industry from yesteryear. Hollywood is absolutely central to the story and while much of Hollywood has changed dramatically from that era, fortunately, certain Theatres remain including The Million Dollar Theater and nearby theatres like the Orpheum Theatre and The Los Angeles Theatre.
Some of our recent volunteers in the UK enjoying their orientation in London
3. London, England – Sherlock Holmes
London has been central to many great films over the years but with Sherlock Holmes in the cinema’s and the BBC’s excellent modern television adaptation, the great detective appears to be witnessing a surge in popularity. The books originally by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle always placed London at the turn of the twentieth century as a central character and the films and television series successfully capture both London’s charms and darker side. Make sure to visit 221B Baker Street and see where Holmes and Watson were said to have lived. Elementary.
Beautiful sunset on Fiji taken by volunteer Richard
4. Monuriki, Fiji – Castaway
Monuriki is an uninhabited tiny island in the Pacific Ocean belonging to a series of Islands that make up Fiji. A beautiful paradise island with white beaches and tropical flora it sounds like a great location, yet Tom Hanks in Castaway didn’t seem too happy to spend months on end alone there. Still Fiji remains a fantastic destination and an incredible setting for the film which rightly landed Tom Hanks an Oscar. But who could forget the excellent performance of Wilson the volleyball who sadly missed out on the best supporting actor Oscar that year.
Business meets tradition on the streets of Japan, taken by volunteer Dafydd
5. Tokyo, Japan – Lost in Translation
Lost in Translation was a highly acclaimed film from director Sofia Coppola and was nominated for four Oscars. Actor Bill Murray gave one of the performances of his career but the real highlight was the city of Tokyo. Tokyo’s bustling city streets, neon lights and technology obsessed inhabitants made for a stark contrast when compared to the loneliness and sadness the main character portrayed. The film used actual locations and all of the places, bars and businesses existed in Tokyo at the time of filming, giving it a heightened realism. Tokyo remains a unique location where the traditions of Japan’s ancient temples and gardens meet with the hustle of one of the largest cities on earth.
