I can’t tell you how strong of an influence good movies are in helping me make travel decisions. Whether it’s Peter Jackson’s use of stunning New Zealand as a backdrop for the entire Tolkien series, Spain as a highlight of Woody Allen’s Vicky Christina Barcelona, or as in the case of Sofia Coppola’s Lost In Translation - a depiction of love, longing and loneliness in Tokyo, Japan.

Ms. Coppola’s evocative images of tranquil languorous gardens and stunning temples, of quirky, raucous, jangly city streets, hangouts and karaoke bars are simply irresistible to me. And I love how clearly she is able to visually portray the tangible impressions of isolation and distance that can hit you by surprise when you are far away from home. But also, the celebration of things foreign to us, and the excitement of being in a new and clearly unusual destination – this came through loud and clear to me too.

This fun little film “Shaping History, Shaping Tomorrow” shows a slice of city life in Tokyo as experienced by a young man. From the director’s perspective - ”Tokyo is a city like no other; a sprawling metropolis that never ceases to amaze. In this video I wanted to explore the many contrasts of life in the city; between the young and the old, the traditional and the contemporary, the fast and the slow, the eastern and western influences.”  I think the results speak for themselves.

Which movies have inspired you to travel? Talk to me.