Published 20th Feb. 2025
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Sometimes films feature such striking locations that we can’t resist the urge to visit. It’s a concept known as set-jetting, and with this year’s Oscars showcasing sensational corners of the planet, who wouldn’t want to sprinkle a little movie magic on their travels? From the sweeping Namibian deserts in Dune: Part Two to hidden corners of Anora’s New York, read on for some of our favourite set-jetting destinations...
Conclave had some serious hurdles to hop when it came to its filming locations. Despite being set in the Vatican City, filming on its grounds is a no-go. So, how did they recreate one of the most recognisable locations in the world? Through a mix of movie magic and iconic locations in Rome, no less. The Vatican Gardens were filmed in Villa Medici, a 16th-century villa-turned-art-museum with sweeping city views, while the Ospedale Santo Spirito, a historic hospital, became the Vatican’s courtyard. You can, of course, visit the Vatican City yourself, and with 2025 being a Jubilee year in the Catholic Church, you might find fewer crowds than expected – many visitors are staying away, assuming it will be too busy.
Step into the otherworldly deserts of Dune: Part Two with a set-jetting adventure to Namibia. You’ll spot the country’s brief – but undeniably iconic – moment in the spotlight in a stunning shot where the ocean meets the dunes in a dramatic drop (one of the few places in the world where this occurs). Namibia’s generous helping of burnt-orange, powdery plains – particularly the dunes of Sossusvlei - may not be the exact star of the Dune: Part Two, but their striking resemblance makes it all too easy to hop on a quad bike and channel your inner Paul Atreides.
South Brooklyn, New York’s culturally bountiful borough, takes centre stage in the Oscar-nominated Anora. Visit Brighton Beach to stroll the eccentric boardwalk and gain insight into a neighbourhood often overlooked in favour of tourist-swamped spots near the East River. Next door, Coney Island’s eclectic carnival comes to life in the film, along with its all-American Parkview Diner. You can even catch a glimpse of the massive waterfront mansion – designed by a Russian oligarch – over in the Mill Basin neighbourhood of Brooklyn.
We never need an excuse to visit Brazil, but I’m Still Here, the first Brazilian film to be nominated for Best Picture, offers an irresistible reason for a spot of set-jetting. Rio de Janeiro is the heart of the film’s 1970s depiction, so to get under the city’s (and film’s) skin, head to the iconic Ipanema and Leblon beaches, bohemian Santa Teresa, the lush Botanical Garden and Sugarloaf Mountain’s nearby neighbourhood of Urca.
Written by Evie Buller | Header Image by Jerome Galland.
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