The gloom of January getting you down?
World cinema can provide the perfect guide to your summer holiday destinations, as Nick explains…
So, its January.
What a crappy month.
No wonder most people have already started planning their holidays.
In my office the talk is full of people with one foot somewhere exotic.
Or at least Magaluf.
But can films provide us with inspiration?
I hope so, or else this is going to be a somewhat short column.
Verdict:If you like guns and cowboys, go right ahead.
Oh, and midgets.
Picturesque market squares, dreamy canals and old whitewashed almshouses all evoke a world long since gone.
Having had the pleasure of going myself, I can certainly attest to this.
However, Bruges has gained a certain notoriety sinceIn Bruges, so is it really all that bad?
Pros:Its like a fairytale isnt it?
Also makes you incredibly quotable.
Cons:Racist midgets (those little fellas sure like to get around dont they?
Verdict:Way more exciting than you expect it to be.
Also, theres a good fondue restaurant there.
Mexico
What the guidebook says:Every visitor goes home with their own unforgettable images.
Well, it certainly looks that way inY Tu Mama Tambien.
Pros:Constant excitement because your life is one big hormone-fuelled road trip.
Well, who wants to read a guidebook anyway?!
Were basing our holiday arbitrarily on films weve seen.
Verdict:Who bases where they go on films?!
What a stupid idea anyway.
Dont go to any war torn cities in the past, kids.
Pros:Hard to get to, so not many tourists.Magic!
People fly about due to actual magic!
Billy Crystal is a wise-cracking fire demon.
There are cool steampunk-style helicopter bikes to use if youre blessed with magical powers.
Moving houses are a must-have fashion accessory.
Cons:Wizard Howl apparently eats young girls hearts.
Sucks to be them.
Actually that last one is possibly a pro.
The ending of the film might not make a whole heap of sense.
Get there while its still undiscovered.
So, there you have it.
Its January, after all.
Start as you mean to go on.
