6 Movies That’ll Make You Book A Ticket To South America ASAP
Daydreaming about a European vacation is so yesterday.
If you’re saving up money for a trip and are currently confined to your living room, then you might as well daydream about something a bit less expected. Be creative with your daydreams! Don’t be like other daydreamers! For instance, instead of imagining yourself hand in hand with a painfully sophisticated French person, you might imagine yourself tumbling over the side of a waterfall … in Venezuela! Wait, no, not in Venezuela. Venezuela is a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” country right now. How about Brazil? Yes, Brazil! I see it for you now: Wind buffeting your face, drool flying from your mouth, you are tumbling over the side of a waterfall in Brazil. That wouldn’t actually be safe, of course – You’d more likely be standing firmly on an observation deck and admiring the waterfall from an officially designated distance – but this is a daydream. In daydreams, everyone is Indiana Jones.
Anyway, if you’re still not seeing this for yourself and would rather watch a few movies to get yourself in a South American mindset, I certainly have some suggestions.
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
Where it takes you: Across the Andes, the Amazon, and more!
Why it works: This biographical drama about a young Che Guevara and his pal Alberto is more than just a historically accurate account of their life-changing road trip. More than anything, it’s an exploration of Latin American culture, and of the passions and tragedies of the entire region. As Che and Alberto soar past stunning landscapes on their motorcycle, you might be inspired to embark upon a soul-searching journey of your own, and to perhaps experience everything that South America has to offer.
Encanto (2021)
Where it takes you: A magical, if fictional, corner of Colombia.
Why it works: Encanto might be an animated, family-friendly comedy about magical spells and powers, but it’s also an impressionistic fantasia of Colombian landscapes, attitudes, and traditions. The movie features vibrant townscapes inspired by the unforgettable tourist destinations Barichara and Salento, as well as nods to Colombian cultural staples like arepas and salsa. Then Sebastián Yatra suddenly chimes in with “Dos Oroguitas,” and the chills set in.
Nueve Reinas (Nine Queens) (2000)
Where it takes you: The shady side of Buenos Aires.
Why it works: Most tourists in Buenos Aires stick to the well-trodden sites like Evita’s gravestone and the captivating façades of La Boca, but the real heart of Buenos Aires lies in the gritty streets and shiny high-rises of Nine Queens. This clever heist buddy dramedy might not splatter glossy images of the city’s tourist sites over the screen, but it still amounts to a love letter to B.A. The movie’s shades of noir and charged cultural currents will creep up on you and inspire you to sip a coffee on Avenida Corrientes. Whether you do it with a fast-talking con man is up to you.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Where it takes you: The dustiest outposts of Bolivia.
Why it works: A South American vacation will always have an element of adventure – even if the sole purpose of the trip is to tan on the beach in Rio. A beach day in Rio is still inherently riskier than a beach day in, say, Martha’s Vineyard. That said, Butch Cassidy may ignite your spirit of adventure more than any other movie in this listicle. Its glimpses of sepia-tinged plains and earthy villages in its final act will leave you breathless and itching for more. As you’ll see, Bolivia is filled with exotic locales for adventurous spirits, and the movie’s achingly poetic treatment of the country will tempt you to visit them yourself.
Paddington in Peru (2024)
Where it takes you: Guess.
Why it works: First of all, it’s a Paddington movie. You can bet your butt there will be heartwarming moments and good manners. Second, the movie shows off spectacular Peruvian landscapes and traditions and will quickly motivate you to hike to Machu Picchu. You might book a ticket to Lima before the movie’s even over. And speaking of Peru…
Contracorriente (Undertow) (2009)
Where it takes you: The remote Peruvian coast
Why it works: Peru is filled to the brim with incredible scenery and is entrenched in centuries upon centuries of history. That said, the real soul of the country might lie in the sleepy coastal villages and dusty mountain trails where young Peruvians still inherit traditions from their ancestors, eking out an existence in the most punishing of environments. And for the closeted gay characters of Conracorriente, the environment of their remote fishing village is remarkably punishing. But this movie isn’t just a seaside Peruvian Brokeback Mountain. It’s also a distillation and celebration of a particular vein of Peruvian culture, as understood by Peruvian filmmakers. It may make you want to extend that Lima trip that you just booked by about ten years. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Now, stop daydreaming and book your tickets to these places! Or get some work done or whatever, idc.
