HAPPY FEET THAT TRAVEL THROUGH CINEMA

From wandering in a destination whose name is difficult to pronounce to catching up on a late-night movie, my soul finds exhilaration in every experience. With a career spanning over 20 years in the media industry, associating with leading global brands, I have had my fair share of living abroad or traveling to different countries and getting acquainted with diverse cultures.
My feet are so well coordinated; if they make plans to venture out, they’ll end up convincing my heart to follow. (Sometimes, I wish even the world was so well-coordinated). They are constantly on the quest to travel to destinations that are untapped by tyre trails and unique in their natural charm. Be it an expedition to a secret island off the coast of Singapore, losing track of time in the bylanes of Istanbul, or a solo trip to the snow-capped, highly-guarded regions on the Indo-China border, every experience more thrilling than the previous.

Unfortunately, for a year, the pandemic has deprived us of our freedom of movement. It’s a pitiful sight. Borders have shut, connections have become feeble, simply venturing out has become a rarity. In the interest of everyone’s safety, it’s a wise decision to adhere to. However, the mind can be rarely tamed and finds its own ways to wander. Through films, if not through travel.
World Cinema, with its portrayal of strong characters & gripping screenplays, depicting stories of grit, greed, change, revolution & freedom has always excited me, Currently, with WFH, I find myself in a happy relationship with movies again and make it a point to watch a foreign category movie before bed. From the French Amelie, a whimsical fairytale that has more darkness to dispel than meets the eye to the Italian classic Bicycle Thieves, with its gripping screenplay. And from our revered The Apu Trilogy by the legendary Satyajit Saab to the lesser-known Ten Canoes of Australia (A must-watch!), the list runs endless, sometimes giving me sleepless nights… for good.
The connections that both travel & movies draw upon my professional life are incredible. One influences the other and vice versa. Understanding cultures, history, and the course of humans bend forward. Without a speck of doubt, my weekends hold sway over my weekdays. No wonder, for me, 2 > 5.