The Fernweh Watchlist
Those born with a pair of travelling feet know what it’s like to long for far-away places. The word ‘fernweh’, taken from the German language, beautifully encapsulates this feeling - this ache to explore. While you sit and dream and plan your future travels, here are movies that beautifully reflect and create a sense of fernweh.
"Into the Wild" (2007)
Directed by Sean Penn, the movie is based on a part-biography of Chris McCandless, who left behind his comfortable life to travel across North America. The story gracefully captures the desire for freedom and adventure, giving life to a feeling we all feel every once in a while. It’s a must-watch for those with globetrotter hearts.
"The Motorcycle Diaries" (2004)
Directed by Walter Salles, this biographical film follows the journey of a young Ernesto "Che" Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado as they travel across South America on a motorcycle. Their experiences shape Guevara's worldview and ignite his revolutionary spirit, and they might make you pack and leave on your motorcycle to find the same.
"Eat Pray Love" (2010)
Based on the memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, this iconic film follows a woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery, travelling to Italy, India, and Bali after a painful divorce. Through her travels, you’ll start longing for food in Italy, spirituality in India, and finding love along the way.
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" (2013)
Directed by and starring Ben Stiller, this film follows a daydreamer who escapes his mundane life through vivid fantasies of adventure. However, when he embarks on a real-life journey to track down a missing photograph, he discovers the excitement of living in the moment. Once you watch it, the fernweh will never leave you.
"Lost in Translation" (2003)
Directed by Sofia Coppola, this film follows the unlikely friendship between a lonely, ageing actor and a young woman as they navigate the bustling streets of Tokyo. Their encounters and experiences will stoke a longing for connection that can come with travel and make you want to hop on a flight to Japan.
"Under the Tuscan Sun" (2003)
Based on Frances Mayes's memoir, this film follows a recently divorced writer who impulsively buys a villa in Tuscany, Italy. As you watch her renovate the house and immerse herself in the local culture, it will create a longing to move to a faraway land in search of healing and a new sense of purpose.
"Wild" (2014)
Based on Cheryl Strayed's memoir, the film narrates the adventures of a woman who hikes more than a thousand miles along the Pacific Crest Trail to heal from personal tragedy and rediscover herself. The journey through breathtaking landscapes becomes a metaphor for her emotional journey and might just push you to make your own.
"Tracks" (2013)
Based on the true story of Robyn Davidson, this film follows a young woman who treks 1,700 miles across the Australian desert with her dog and four camels. It's a visually stunning exploration of solitude, resilience, and the allure of the unknown that encompasses a goosebump-inducing version of fernweh.
"The Darjeeling Limited" (2007)
Directed by Wes Anderson, this film follows three estranged brothers as they embark on a train journey across India in an attempt to reconnect and find spiritual enlightenment. The visually captivating film explores themes of familial bonds, cultural exploration, and the search for meaning that you might start longing for too..
"The Way" (2010)
Directed by Emilio Estevez, this film follows a grieving father who embarks on the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain, walking over 800 kilometres to honour his late son's memory. Along the journey, he encounters a diverse group of fellow pilgrims and discovers healing, friendship, and a deeper understanding of himself and his relationship with his son. "The Way" beautifully captures the transformative power of travel and the human connections forged along the road.
How many of these movies based on travel have you seen? Do you have any recommendations? Leave them in the comments below!