World Film Locations

Fascinating, incommensurable and chaotic, Mumbai is a megalopolis of dramatic diversity and heartbreaking extremes, where immense wealth is just steps away from the searing poverty of its huge slums. The home of Bollywood, Mumbai is also the epicentre of India's film industry and its foremost film location. Through the lens of Mumbai's manifold cinematic representations, World Film Locations: Mumbai explores the sheer complexity of this incomparable city. This volume comprises insightful essays and beautifully illustrated scene analyses by leading scholars and film critics who explore the ways filmmakers from India and abroad have represented Mumbai's astonishing urban and human landscape. Their contributions show how movies have created in the imaginations of billions of spectators the vivid image of a city that constantly tempts people to escape their dreary existence and offers them a chance to fulfil their dreams. The first book to focus on cinematic representations of what is perhaps the world's most-filmed city, World Film Locations: Mumbai will be necessary reading for scholars and film buffs alike.

Sin and redemption. The ridiculous and the sublime. The carnivalesque excess of the Strip and the barrenness of the desert surrounding the city. Visited by millions of fortune seekers—and starry-eyed lovers—each year, Las Vegas is a city with as many apparent contradictions as Elvis impersonators and this complexity is reflected in the diversity of films that have been shot on location there. A copiously illustrated retrospective of Vegas's appearances on the big screen, this new volume in Intellect's World Film Locations series presents synopses of scenes from a broad selection of films—from big-budget blockbusters like Oceans Eleven to acclaimed classics Rain Man, Casino and The Godfather to cult favourites like Showgirls and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Insightful essays throughout explore a range of topics, including the Rat Pack's Las Vegas, the cinematised Strip, Las Vegas as a frequent backdrop for science fiction and the various film portrayals of iconic pop-cultural figures like Elvis and Frank Sinatra. Rounding out this information are film stills juxtaposed with photographs of the locations as they appear today.

Part of “Intellect's World Film Locations” series, “World Film Locations: Helsinki” explores the relationship between the city, cinema and Finnish cultural history. Cinematic representations of Helsinki range from depictions of a northern periphery to a space of cosmopolitanism, from a touristic destination to a substitute for Moscow and St. Petersburg during the Cold War. The city also looks different depending on one's perspective, and “World Film Locations: Helsinki” illustrates this complexity by providing a visual collection of cinematic views of Helsinki. This cinematic city is a collective work where individual pieces construct a whole, and one which we, as viewers, then shape according to our perspectives. The contributors emphasize the role of the city in identity and cultural politics throughout Finnish film history and its central role as the locus for negotiating Finland's globalization.

Be they period films, cult classics or elaborate directorial love letters, New York City has played—and continues to play—a central role in the imaginations of filmmakers and moviegoers worldwide. The stomping grounds of King Kong, it is also the place where young Jakie Rabinowitz of The Jazz Singer realizes his Broadway dream. Later, it is the backdrop against which taxi driver Travis Bickle exacts a grisly revenge. The inaugural volume in an exciting new series from Intellect, “World Film Locations: New York” pairs incisive profiles of quintessential New York filmmakers—among them Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, Sidney Lumet and Spike Lee—with essays on key features of the city's landscape that have appeared on the big screen, from the docks to Coney Island, Times Square to the Statue of Liberty. More than forty-five location-specific scenes from films made and set in New York are separately considered and illustrated with screen shots and photographs of the locations as they appear now. For film fans keen to follow the cinematic trail either physically or in the imagination, this pocket-sized guide also includes city maps with information on how to locate key features.

The heart of Hollywood's star-studded film industry for more than a century, Los Angeles and its abundant and ever-changing locales—from the Santa Monica Pier to the infamous and now-defunct Ambassador Hotel—have set the scene for a wide variety of cinematic treasures, from “Chinatown” to “Forrest Gump”, “Falling Down” to the coming-of-age classic “Boyz n The Hood”. This volume marks an engaging citywide tour of the many films shot on location in this birthplace of cinema and the screen spectacle. “World Film Locations: Los Angeles” pairs fifty incisive synopses of carefully chosen film scenes—both famous and lesser-known—with an accompanying array of evocative full-colour film stills, demonstrating how motion pictures have contributed to the multifarious role of the city in our collective consciousness, as well as how key cinematic moments reveal aspects of its life and culture that are otherwise largely hidden from view. Insightful essays throughout turn the spotlight on the important directors, thematic elements and historical periods that provide insight into Los Angeles and its vibrant cinematic culture. Rounding out this information are city maps with information on how to locate key features, as well as photographs showing featured locations as they appear now. A guided tour of the City of Angels conducted by the likes of Robert Altman, Nicholas Ray, Michael Mann and Roman Polanski, “World Film Locations: Los Angeles” is a concise and user-friendly guide to how Los Angeles has captured the imaginations of both filmmakers and those of us sitting transfixed in theatres worldwide.

“World Film Locations: Tokyo” gives readers a kaleidoscopic view of one of the world's most complex and exciting cities through the lens of world cinema. 50 scenes from classic and contemporary films explore how motion pictures have shaped the role of Tokyo in our collective consciousness, as well as how these cinematic moments reveal aspects of the life and culture of a city that are often hidden from view. Complimenting these scenes from such varied films as “Tokyo Story”, “You Only Live Twice”, “Godzilla” and “Enter the Void” are six spotlight essays that take us from the wooden streets of pre-nineteenth-century Edo to the sprawling 'what-if' megalopolis of science fiction anime. Illustrated throughout with dynamic screen captures “World Film Locations: Tokyo” is at once a guided tour of Japan's capital conducted by the likes of Akira Kurosawa, Samuel Fuller, Chris Marker and Sofia Coppola while also being an indispensible record of how Tokyo has fired both the imaginations of individuals working behind the camera and those of us sitting transfixed in movie theatres.

From “Head-On” to “Murder on the Orient Express”, “World Film Locations: Istanbul” offers a compelling look at the many films shot on location in this multicultural metropolis on the Black Sea. Central to this volume are the film industry's changing representations of Istanbul, which have ranged from progressive cultural center to the authoritarian police state of Alan Parker's “Midnight Express”. Evident in both in films made in the West and throughout Turkey over time, these divergent accounts are analyzed with regard to their role in continually reshaping our perception of the city. Essays explore this topic and many others, including the significance of Istanbul to the works of critically-acclaimed directors, among them Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Illustrated throughout with film stills as well as photographs of featured locations as they appear today, World Film Locations: Istanbul visits all of the important cinematic landmarks, including the Topkapi Palace and the Haydarpasa train station and offers a vivid picture of this historic and culturally stimulating city.

“World Film Locations: Glasgow” explores Scotland's biggest city and the many locations in which its films are viewed, set and shot. Taking in the important moments and movements in its rich cinematic history, this book seeks to discover the city's culture, character and comedy through its cinematic identity. Essays cover a variety of topics including a background of Glasgow's cinemagoers and picture houses, the evolution of Scots comedy, and the role of the city as inspiration for grassroots and underground filmmakers, as well as big Hollywood productions. Thirty-eight films are featured, from classics like Forsyth's “Gregory's Girl” and Loach's “Carla's Song” to cult hits like Boyle's “Trainspotting”. Bollywood is also represented, alongside European titles and grim Scots realism like “Sweet Sixteen”, “My Name is Joe”, and “Red Road”, and new titles including “Fast Romance”, “Perfect Sense”, and “NEDs”, making this an essential guide to Scotland in film.

Though the creative community of Reykjavík, Iceland, has earned a well-deserved reputation for its unique artistic output—most notably the popular music that has emerged from the city since the 1980s—Reykjavík's filmmakers have received less attention than they merit. World Film Locations: Reykjavík corrects this imbalance, shedding new light on the role of cinema in a country that, partly because of its small population, produces more films per capita than any other in the world. The contributors to this volume trace cinema in Iceland from the 1979 establishment of the Icelandic Film Fund—before which the country's film industry barely existed—through to today. In a series of illuminating scene reviews, they show how rapidly the city has changed over the past thirty years. In thematic spotlight articles, they go on to explore such topics as the relationship between Iceland and its capital city; youth culture and night life; the relationship between film and the local music community; cinematic representations of Scandinavian crime; and filmmakers' response to the 2008 banking crisis. Together, these varied contributions show how films shot in Reykjavík have been shaped both by Iceland's remoteness from the rest of the world and by Icelandic filmmakers' sense that the city remains forever on the brink of desolate and harsh wilderness.

An exciting and visually focused tour of the diverse range of films shot on location in London, World Film Locations: London presents contributions spanning the Victorian era, the swinging '60s and the politically charged atmosphere following the 2005 subway bombings. Essays exploring key directors, themes and historical periods are complemented by reviews of important scenes that offer particular insight into London's relationship to cinema. The book is illustrated throughout with full-colour film stills and photographs of cinematic landmarks as they appear now—as well as city maps to aid those keen to investigate them.

With more and more filmmakers taking advantage of its rich and varied settings, New Orleans has earned star-studded status as the “Hollywood of the South”. From the big-screen adaptation of the stage classic “A Streetcar Named Desire” to the Elvis Presley musical “King Creole”, many well-known films have a special connection with the Big Easy, and this user-friendly guide explores the integral role of New Orleans in American film history. “World Film Locations: New Orleans” features essays that reflect on the city's long-standing relationship with the film industry. Among the topics discussed are popular depictions of Hurricane Katrina on film, the prevalence of the supernatural in New Orleans cinema and recent changes to city ordinances that have made New Orleans even more popular as a film destination. As the most frequently filmed area of New Orleans, the French Quarter is given particular attention in this volume with synopses of scenes shot or set there, including “The Big Easy”, “Interview with the Vampire” and the much-loved Bond film “Live and Let Die”. Additional synopses highlight numerous other film scenes spanning the city, and all are accompanied by evocative full-colour stills. The historic neighbourhoods and landmarks of New Orleans have provided the backdrop for some of the most memorable moments in film history, and this book offers fans a guided tour of the many films that made the city their home.

An illuminating and visually led guide to a selection of the films set wholly or in part in Melbourne, “World Film Locations: Melbourne” covers the big screen representations of life in the city from the Victorian era to the present day. Short analyses of iconic scenes and themed essays focusing on key directors and recurring themes and locations combine to highlight the city's relationship to cinema. Illustrated throughout with full colour film stills and photographs of the locations as they are now—from architectural landmarks to largely unexplored outer-suburbs—the book also contains city maps for those wishing to explore Melbourne's richly diverse cinematic streets. From visions of Ned Kelly, via tales of sporting drama to the coming-of-age films of the 1980s and beyond, this accessible trip around the birthplace of the Australian film industry will both firmly cement Melbourne's reputation as a richly diverse creative hotbed and enhance the standing of the films and filmmakers associated with the city.

One of the most dynamic capital cities of the twenty-first century, Berlin also has one of the most tumultuous modern histories. A city that came of age, in many senses, with the cinema, it has been captured on film during periods of exuberance, devastation, division, and reconstruction. “World Film Locations: Berlin” offers a broad overview of these varied cinematic representations. Covering an array of films that ranges from early classics to contemporary star vehicles, this volume features detailed analyses of forty-six key scenes from productions shot on location across the city, as well as spotlight essays in which contributors with expertise in German studies, urban history, and film studies focus on issues central to understanding Berlin cinema. Among the topics discussed are the roles of rubble, construction sites, and music in films set and shot in Berlin, as well as key personalities, including Marlene Dietrich and Leni Riefenstahl. With the help of full-color illustrations that include film stills and contemporary location shots, World Film Locations: Berlin cinematically maps the city's long twentieth century, taking readers behind the scenes and shedding new light on the connections between many favorite and possibly soon to be favorite films.

“World Film Locations: Vienna” provides a panorama of international motion pictures shot on location in Austria's once imperical capital. Informative reviews of 46 film scenes and evocative essays examine for the first time Vienna's relationship to cinema outside the waltz fantasies shot in the studios of Hollywood, London, Paris, Berlin... and Vienna. Illustrations and screen-grabs are set alongside current images, as well as city maps locating 'cinematic Vienna'. A Vienna at the crossroads of a turbulent history, as a source of great music and literature, and a site of world-famous architecture ranging from gothic cathedrals and baroque palaces to Jugendstil (Vienna's art nouveau) to the eco-challenges of the postmodern is revealed. Spotlight essays cover the images that evoke the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; the pioneering filmmaking of Willi Forst and Walter Reisch in the 1930s; Vienna's role in the entertainment cinema of the Third Reich; opulent royal epics of the 1950s and the city as backdrop for international moviemaking; Jewish filmmakers and their take on lost cultural imagery; and a startling New Wave cinema from filmmakers such as Michael Haneke, Barbara Albert and Ulrich Seidl.

With its rich political and literary history, Dublin is a sought-after destination for cinematographers who have made use of the city's urban streetscapes and lush pastoral settings in many memorable films-among them “Braveheart”, “The Italian Job”, and the 2006 musical drama “Once”. “World Film Locations: Dublin” offers an engaging look at the many incarnations of the city onscreen through fifty synopses of the key scenes-either shot or set in Dublin-accompanied by a generous selection of full-color film stills. Throughout the book, a series of essays by leading film scholars spotlight familiar actors, producers, and directors as well as some of the themes common to films shot in Dublin, including literature, politics, the city's thriving music scene, and its long history of organized crime. Also included is a look at the representations of Dublin before, during, and after the Celtic Tiger era. Sophisticated yet accessible, this volume will undoubtedly take its place on the shelves of film buffs and those interested in Irish culture.

“World Film Locations: Madrid” is a trip through the urban space conceived as film location. The premise is that these locations must have been protagonist of films shot in Madrid since the silent era to the present. Madrid is the film capital of the Hispanic World from the standpoint of production. Being also one of the most visited cities in the world, this book tries to discover its most imaginative side for the visitor who dares to take this journey. But it is a tour that is not covered in the guidebooks. The different suggestions are explained in a series of essays written by experts, which analyses the role that the city plays in the stories filmed in Madrid. This is a city of contrasts where lives high culture (the best universities, the Museo del Prado, etc.), with the most popular and sparkling nightlife that began with La Movida and Almodóvar. These essays account for this life contrast, addressing from the corralas (popular architecture) in Egdar Neville's films, to the underground cinema of Iván Zulueta. Madrid's spaces and their films are visually discussed as well through 44 microanalysis of sequences, whose selection criteria has been its importance in the plot and its ability to represent the true spirit of the city, rather than its tourist attractive. Casual visitors or permanent inhabitants, and general lovers of Spanish culture in a broad sense, will find in these pages reasons to wander through Madrid's films and streets.

‘We'll always have Paris,' Humphrey Bogart assures Ingrid Bergman in the oft-quoted farewell scene from Casablanca in which Bogart's character, hard-hearted restaurateur Rick Blaine, bids former lover Ilsa Lund goodbye. The backdrop against which they first fell in love, Paris later serves as a reminder of their deep mutual longings. And with a host of different realisations by filmmakers from Philip Kaufman to Julien Leclercq to Woody Allen, there is no question that Paris has likewise endured in the memories of cinephiles worldwide. “World Film Locations: Paris” takes readers on an unforgettable tour of the City of Lights past and present through the many films that have been set there. Along the way, we revisit iconic tourist sites from the Eiffel Tower—whose stairs and crossbars inspired more than one famous chase scene—to the Moulin Rouge overlooking the famously seedy Place Pigalle. Other films explore lesser-known quarters usually tucked away from the tourist's admiring gaze. Handsomely illustrated with full-colour film stills and contemporary photographs, more than fifty scenes are individually considered with special attention to their use of Paris's topography as it intersects with characters, narrative and plot. A host of important genres and cinematic movements are featured, including poetic realism, the New Wave, cinéma-verité, the literary works of the Left Bank Group, and Luc Besson's slickly stylised cinéma du look. Meanwhile, essays foreground contributions from Francophone African directors and émigré filmmakers. For centuries, Paris has reigned over the popular imagination. For those who have visited or those who have only imagined it through art, literature and film, World Film Locations: Paris presents a wonder-filled cinematic exploration of the mythical city that fans of French cinema—and new initiates—will appreciate.