“While I was engrossed in a marathon viewing, it occurred to me that Middle-earth actually exists.”
The epic tale of the Lord of the Rings inspired Jason to travel to New Zealand.
During my childhood in the 1980s, I resided in Manchester. However, in my imagination, I lived in a cozy hobbit dwelling in the Shire. Due to attending a rough school, I often sought refuge in the library during lunch breaks to read The Lord of the Rings. At night, I would lie in bed and stare at a circular stain on the carpet, hoping it would transform into a gateway to Middle-earth. Despite living on a council estate at the age of 11, I saw myself as a hobbit, smoking a pipe and frolicking in a meadow. My fascination with orcs also consumed me, as my large and awkward appearance resembled that of an orc.
In my late twenties, I watched Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and longed for Hobbiton. As I rewatched the DVDs with my wife, Sarah, I realized that Middle-earth is real and I don’t need a magical entrance to get there. I can simply fly to New Zealand in 23 hours. I turned to Sarah and suggested, “Should we relocate to New Zealand?” My wife is great at considering my wildest ideas with a sincere thoughtfulness. Six months later, we were living in Auckland.
When I arrived at the airport, the first thing I noticed was a large statue of a dwarf standing over security. I was filled with excitement because I knew I had made the right choice. The Wellington airport is even more impressive with a huge Gollum sculpture and a life-sized Gandalf riding a massive eagle above the food court.
Sarah and I knew that upon our arrival in New Zealand, we were not hobbits. We had envisioned getting jobs and sharing a traditional home, as regular people do. Yet, my backyard resembles that of Bilbo Baggins. It boasts rolling hills, abundant greenery, and the melodic chirping of birds.
We’ve been here 18 years now and have never regretted the move. Sarah is not quite so enamoured of the movies as I am, but she is very supportive. We’ve got lifesize replicas of my favourite characters around the house, and I make costumes, too: there’s a huge collection of swords and troll armour in the guest room. Sarah says my passion for Middle-earth is part of what attracted her to me in the first place. I think she puts up with a lot.
I am employed as a nurse specializing in mental health. While my daily life is not always reminiscent of a serene scene from the Shire, I am amazed at how closely my reality mirrors the fantasy I dreamed of as a child. Interestingly, one of my neighbors actually portrayed an orc in The Two Towers. Due to New Zealand’s small population and the immense popularity of the films, I have come across numerous individuals who have connections to the cast and crew. In my eyes, I have achieved my dream of living in Middle-earth, with an orc as my neighbor.
“When the credits finished, I immediately started looking into getting my visa.”
After finishing the movie “Eat Pray Love,” Bo departed for Bali.
In 2021, while dealing with a heartbreak, I watched Eat Pray Love for the first time. I was alone in my bed in Essex and had spent the day sending strange emails to my ex-partner. At the age of 27, I was going through my first significant breakup. For months, I had been crying over photos of my ex and coming up with elaborate plans to win them back. I chose to watch Eat Pray Love as a way to comfort myself, although it was a random choice. I had also considered watching Pretty Woman as I am a fan of Julia Roberts and hoped her presence would distract me from thoughts of my ex.
The movie captivated me and I didn’t check my phone for 133 minutes. I was completely absorbed by Julia, who was going through a similar heartbreak but was actively working on healing herself. She ate spaghetti, rode a bicycle, and had intimate moments with Javier Bardem. The scenes in Bali were enchanting as Julia appeared to be at peace. As I saw her sitting on a mediation platform, I couldn’t help but feel envious of her serenity. By the time the credits rolled, I was already looking into getting a visa. Just two days later, I had purchased a one-way ticket to Bali.
The days leading up to it were filled with chaos. I sold my laptop to gather funds for the move and donated all of my clothes because I had made the decision to start fresh in a new country as a completely different individual. I updated my location on Tinder to “Bali” in order to search for potential romantic interests before my trip, and reserved an Airbnb that resembled the house Julia lives in during the film.
I started to have doubts only when I arrived in Bali. The island was just as beautiful as I had seen in pictures, but I had foolishly hoped that I would forget about my ex as soon as I landed. However, a flight cannot erase memories like a lobotomy. My villa had a meditation platform, and I remember sitting there feeling stunned that I was still thinking about my ex. About a week later, I attempted to recreate a scene from the movie where the character Julia rides her bike through a rice field. However, I almost fell off my motorbike because I was crying so much inside my helmet.
Over time, I started to establish a different lifestyle in this place – however, the journey was more isolated than I anticipated and has spanned years, not just hours. I stopped attempting to imitate my beloved scenes from the film and instead found activities to occupy myself. I studied Indonesian and engaged in conversations with others rather than spending time alone on my platform.
As I approach my three-year mark on the island, I have met someone new. It concerns me that my true happiness has only returned since falling in love again. I must learn how to move on in a healthy manner, as I cannot always leave the country after a breakup. However, it may not be true that healing can only be achieved on one’s own, as seen with Julia and Javier’s relationship.
Six months had passed and I found myself residing on the Left Bank.
After viewing Cléo from 5 to 7, Jennifer relocated to Paris, the capital of France.
When I was young, I had a tendency to strongly identify with the characters in movies. Even though I lived in a quiet village in Sussex, I spent a lot of time watching videos and imagining myself living exciting and glamorous lives. I would watch Clueless over and over again and believe deep down that I was an American cheerleader, despite being a nine-year-old English girl. By the time I was 17, my dreams had shifted but were still far-fetched. I watched Y Tu Mama Tambien in my Spanish class and saved up money for a trip to Mexico by myself. Despite not being the most attractive or popular teenager, I was not lacking in confidence. When I returned to Sussex, I was genuinely surprised that I didn’t receive an invitation for a threesome with Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal.
A few years later, I viewed Agnès Varda’s Cléo from 5 to 7. The film chronicles two hours in the life of a young French woman as she strolls around the city. Unlike other French New Wave films I had previously seen, Cléo is a famous singer rather than a shopgirl or maid. The plot is tragic as Cléo awaits the results of a cancer test, but this aspect of the movie resonated with me. Filmed in June 1961, the movie captures the city’s essence through documentary-style shots of its urban landscape. Paris is depicted as both stunning and gritty, mirroring Cléo’s inner turmoil. Every street is seen through her perspective, giving the impression that the entire city belongs to her. My upbringing in a small village left me yearning for a bit of grit and freedom, so I began applying for jobs in Paris.
After six months, I found myself residing on the Left Bank in a small apartment that I picked out because Agnès Varda had filmed a scene on a nearby street. Despite having a bunk bed and a shower in a cramped glass tube in the kitchen, my 23-year-old self was unfazed. I landed a gig teaching English in a building without functional bathrooms and spent countless hours strolling through Paris, seeking out famous locations from the movie while listening to music on my iPod.
The film Cléo from 5 to 7 does not have a “boyfriend figure,” which is one of the reasons I enjoyed it. It focuses on a woman’s story without centering around a man. However, having watched Amélie, I also had fantasies of finding love in the romantic city. I found French dating customs to be confusingly straightforward. While I was fluent in French, it was challenging to fully convey my personality in a foreign language. Making friends with French people was a slow process. Whenever I attempted to approach a man at a bar, I would inevitably make a mistake. He would either reject me immediately because he had a girlfriend, or assume I was only interested in sex.
In 2011, after a year without a romantic partner, I decided to try online dating. I registered on a website called singlesinparis.com and had a surprisingly positive experience. I am still in a relationship with the Frenchman I met on my first date in Paris 12 years ago.
I intend to permanently reside in France – although my family recently relocated from Paris to the riviera due to the birth of our child and my desire to raise them outside of a city. Interestingly, my daughter is named after the film “Cléo”. It’s ironic that I have returned to the countryside, as I spent my entire childhood trying to escape it. However, I do have an impressive collection of films. When my daughter is older, she can watch them and plan her own escape.
Moving to a different country for a movie you consider mediocre is unusual.
Georgina traveled to Spain due to Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
During the 2000s, I resided in New York and my main focus was my job. I worked as a headhunter, a role that may not have been particularly significant, but I approached it with the intensity of a life-saving surgeon. I dedicated 75 hours per week to my job and slept an average of four hours each night. Meanwhile, my husband, an actor, struggled to find work in the city, making it feel like we were leading completely separate lives. My unhappiness was palpable and it’s possible he didn’t even want to be around me. When I’m feeling low, I’m not the most pleasant person to be around.
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During times of high stress, I would sometimes need a break and escape to the cinema on my own. One day, I decided to watch Vicky Cristina Barcelona, but initially, I was unimpressed with the storyline involving a love triangle. However, as the movie progressed, it slowly began to captivate me. There was a particular scene at night where Scarlett Johansson strolls down a charming cobblestoned street. As I watched, I couldn’t help but be drawn to the background extras, leisurely conversing on balconies. It made me realize that it had been a while since I had felt truly relaxed or had a meaningful conversation. Sitting in the cinema, I could feel all my anxious energy dissipate. When I returned home, I declared that I was moving to Barcelona.
My husband was understandably surprised when I mentioned that “I” was moving, instead of “we”. He was also concerned that I may have gone crazy, as I had never been to Barcelona in person, not even for a short trip. Maybe I had lost my mind a little bit. (I had also resigned from my job right after leaving the movie theater.) I did want him to join me, but I was so convinced that I was making the right choice, I was prepared to go by myself.
Together, we relocated to Barcelona. I recall arriving at our apartment and briefly worrying because it did not resemble the movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Our neighborhood was very contemporary and the weather was quite cold. However, once I ventured into the historic district, it felt like I was living inside the film. There were charming lanterns and cobblestone streets, and when I stopped for a drink at a bar, they offered complimentary snacks.
We have resided in Barcelona for almost 15 years, and my job has become much more imaginative. This has positively impacted our marriage as we now have more opportunities to communicate with each other. It’s difficult to maintain a balanced partnership when one partner is constantly working. If we had remained in New York, I’m uncertain if our relationship would have endured.
I recently rewatched Vicky Cristina Barcelona and I still believe my initial interpretation: it’s not the best. However, the scenery of Barcelona remains stunning. It’s unusual to relocate for a movie that you consider to be objectively poor, but I guess great art isn’t the only thing that can be inspiring. Even bad art can have a profound impact on one’s life.
People in Melbourne believe I am crazy for traveling here.
After viewing “Morgan’s Boy,” Arya relocated to a rural area in Wales.
When the pandemic began, I was living alone in Melbourne. The state of Victoria implemented a strict lockdown policy, leaving me with little to do except walk around my neighborhood and browse the internet. One day, I came across a low-quality YouTube video of a 1984 BBC drama called Morgan’s Boy, which depicted the life of a depressed Welsh farmer. Despite being 26 years old, I found myself relating heavily to the character, despite him being 47 years old and living in a different country. The shots of the Welsh countryside reminded me of my own rural upbringing in New Zealand and made me miss my family. I stayed up until 4am that night watching all eight episodes in a row.
Morgan’s Boy is not your typical happy television show – the story does not have a happy ending for the isolated hill farmer. However, I personally found the plot to be strangely therapeutic. I appreciated the authenticity of the characters, including small details like the way the actor portraying Morgan ate with his fork or walked with his feet turned out – reminiscent of the farmers I had known growing up. Sadly, not many people are familiar with Morgan’s Boy, and it made me feel a bit melancholic thinking about the effort and care that went into creating something that has been forgotten by most.
I searched for the landmarks featured in the episodes and was excited to find out that they were actual locations. The pub, cow field, local markets, and village shop were all real. Whenever I felt stuck in Melbourne, I would use Google maps to follow the routes from the show in my mind. I longed to live in a place similar to New Zealand, but I also desired independence and excitement. I promised myself that once the lockdown was over, I would visit my family and then relocate to rural Wales.
In July 2022, I reached the Black Mountains and settled into a cottage near the filming location of Morgan’s Boy. As I unpacked, I was overcome with joy. I ventured out onto the hills, which were deserted, but I didn’t feel alone like I did in Melbourne. Here, I had complete independence. It felt like I was in a scene from the show, but a happy one – although those were rare.
Most of my social circle here consists of individuals in their 70s, yet I feel more connected than ever before. During my year here, I have received an average of two dinner invitations per week. I am also surprised by the abundance of festivals and events on weekends. In Melbourne, prior to the pandemic, my job was demanding and I often neglected parts of my life because I only allowed myself to relax on days off. However, partying has never been my preferred pastime, so my new, slower-paced life suits me better. While I have not fully transformed into a hill farmer, I have recently taken up growing my own carrots.
The citizens of Melbourne view my decision to relocate as irrational. My elderly Welsh acquaintances are perplexed as to why I would pass up the opportunity for city life and potential love. However, I have experienced romantic relationships in the past and am currently relishing the independence of not constantly catering to someone else’s needs. If that changes, there are numerous suitable options at the local village festival.
The name of Arya has been altered.
My spouse was glad that I had not watched a movie about a wanderer in the desert.
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Scott was sent to Japan by The Last Samurai.
In 2020, I relocated to Japan due to my admiration for The Last Samurai. This movie features Tom Cruise as a 19th-century American soldier who undergoes training to become a Japanese warrior. Although I work in marketing, my true desire is to be a samurai. I am captivated by their code of honor and the dedication they have towards perfecting even the most menial tasks. The film showcases moments where Tom Cruise sits on a hill, completely at peace and surrounded by beauty. In my daydreams, I am also sitting on a picturesque hill, striking a Cruise-like pose, in a world of ancient times.
I began rewatching The Last Samurai in my early thirties while living in Shanghai. The work environment there was highly competitive, causing me to experience stress ulcers and frequent headaches. The lifestyle of a 19th-century samurai suddenly became very alluring. One quote from the movie kept replaying in my mind while I was working, becoming like a constant earworm. In the final scene, Tom Cruise strolls through a picturesque green field as the narrator shares that he has finally found some inner peace, a feeling we all desire but few of us ever attain. Even though I knew it was just a Hollywood script, I couldn’t help but see that line as my salvation. “Peace” seemed to encompass everything that was missing from my life. I even began suggesting to my wife that we should move to Japan.
My spouse is of Chinese nationality, while I was already living abroad. She was not particularly excited about the idea of leaving her home country for the sake of The Last Samurai, but acknowledged the practical benefits of the relocation: she had respiratory problems due to the air pollution in Shanghai and was concerned about my burnout. My wife is well aware of the significant impact that movies have on my life. I often purchase furniture and decorations to match those seen on screen. Whenever we have whiskey, I insist on using my special Blade Runner glassware. I believe she was simply relieved that I had not watched a film about a desert nomad and decided to move there.
Before the Covid pandemic, we arrived in Kyoto four months earlier and found that all the most stunning temples were empty. Simply walking into a teahouse or exploring a side street gave me the feeling of being transported through a vortex into a movie scene. The Japanese have a saying for this, taimu surippu, which means time-slip. Although I still have work and young children, I do believe that I have achieved some level of peace since moving here. Even with the return of tourists, it’s surprisingly easy to lose track of what century you’re in.
I enjoy taking my time-travel adventures to a new level. Most recently, I participated in a samurai-themed dress-up day, where I donned flowing robes similar to those worn by Tom Cruise. I was given a prop sword and taught a few moves. My children also joined in on the fun, but I was the most enthusiastic participant. These dress-up events are popular in Kyoto, with festivals featuring hundreds of adults dressed in period costumes. It feels like I have found my true place in this city.
Source: theguardian.com
