d-brief edition 4 - movie locations
DESCRIPTION
The November edition of our D-Brief is all about movie locations in Malaysia, India, China, Thailand and VietnamTRANSCRIPT
M o v i e L o c a t i o n s
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D - B r i e f
Bangkok, 26 November 2010
Dear Partner,
You have seen the movie, you may have read the book… why not visit the most famous
movie locations in Southeast Asia, on your next holidays?
The Beach, a movie that would probably already be widely forgotten, if it was not for the
extraordinary scenery on Koh Phi Phi Leh. Who could honestly say, they did not wish they
were sitting right there, on Maya Bay beach? With its crystal clear waters, powdery white
sands and breathtaking limestone formations, truly captivating.
We have chosen a selection of movies, shot at spectacular locations or in culturally
interesting settings around Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, China, India and Vietnam. We
trust these choices will inspire your customers for upcoming holiday ideas.
Sincerely yours,
Victoria Sertic
Chief Sales Officer
Diethelm Travel Group
MOVIE LOCATIONS
Brad Pitt, Ian Fleming, Jessica Alba, Tom
Cruise, … all of them were here!
How often, whilst watching a movie,
where you inspired by its location, wishing
you had been there? It is definitely not at
all a coincidence that movies are often the
inspiration and deciding factor for where
one takes their next holiday.
Numerous Asian sites have been the décor
for many Hollywood blockbusters. Whilst
spoilt for choice, we have highlighted 12
locations in 6 countries, each with its own
characteristics. Travelling with Diethelm
Travel, will enable you to see these
destinations through numerous sightseeing
opportunities. Don‟t forget to bring your
camera along!
Easily navigate by clicking the desired
movie and we will guide you to the
destination, with a trailer button, to get
you in the action.
The Nomads of Bhutan
The Sleeping Dictionary
Entrapment
Lara Croft Tomb Raider
City of Ghosts
The Bridge over the River Kwai
James Bond: The Man with the Golden Gun
Seven Years in Tibet
Mission Impossible III
Slumdog Millionaire
James Bond: Octopussy
The Quiet American
L‟Indochine
The Sleeping Dictionary, released in 2003, set in
the rainforest of Sarawak, known as the land of
Hornbills. A young Englishman, John Truscott, arrives
in Sarawak, with the aim of trying to civilise the
natives. Selima, a local tribe woman is assigned to
keep John company and to teach him the language
and local customs; she becomes his „sleeping
dictionary‟. Eventually they fall madly in love and the
locals as well as the colonists get enraged.
Diethelm Travel Malaysia was very much involved in
finding the locations for the film, back in 1999. At
Lemanak River, which is located a 220 kilometres
drive from Kuching, a temporary longhouse was set
up for the film production. Soon after the filming
ended in 2000, this longhouse was torn down and all
usable materials were given to the local Iban tribe.
Diethelm Travel offers packages to Batang Ai and
Lemanak River, including overnight stays inside Iban
longhouses and excursions into the jungle.
Malaysia
Watch the trailer here
Malaysia
In the 1998 movie Entrapment, an investigator
(Catherine Zeta-Jones), tricks an international art
thief (Sean Connery), into stealing a priceless Chinese
mask, by claiming to be a thief herself. Followed by
their success, the thief agrees to join in for a final
heist at the International Clearance Bank, located
within the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.
During the final escape scene, the two lead
characters find themselves dangling off a lighting
cable, 170 metres above the ground, in between the
two Towers. An awesome stunt!
The sky bridge, which connects both Towers on the
42nd floor, is open to visitors, with pre-scheduled
tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis. Enhanced
Sky Bridge tours include a visit to the observation
deck on level 86 and lunch or dinner at the Malaysian
Petroleum Club, on level 41. Tickets to the Sky Bridge
can be purchased with Diethelm Travel Malaysia and
every city tour, operated by us, stops for a photo
opportunity of the Twin Towers.
Watch the trailer here
Cambodia's famous Angkor temples, provide the
backdrop for key scenes of the 2001 action
blockbuster Lara Croft – Tomb Raider. Lara Croft,
(acted by Angelina Jolie) a British archaeologist, who
races against time and villains to recover powerful
ancient artefacts, tools up in front of Angkor Thom‟s
sacred Bayon Temple. Later, in Ta Prohm, the most
spectacular temple of all, entwined with enormous
trees, Croft encounters a mysterious girl. Ta Prohm
was built by King Jayavarman in 1186 AD and its
appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other
monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and
swallowed by the jungle. It looks very much the way
most of the Angkor temples appeared, back when
European explorers first stumbled upon them.
The ruins of the ancient city of Angkor cover some 97
square kilometres and are best visited, while staying
in the nearby town of Siem Reap. No doubt, your
days spent scrambling about and exploring the
temples, will be truly memorable.
Cambodia
Watch the trailer here
Cambodia
City of Ghosts, a 2002 drama co-written, starred
and directed by Hollywood icon Matt Dillon, was
filmed in various locations in Cambodia, including
Phnom Penh.
The film is about a con-man who flees to Southeast
Asia, when an international scam he was involved in,
goes sour. Suspecting he's been double-crossed by
his long-time mentor, he sets off to Cambodia for his
promised cut.
The most compelling character of the movie,
however, is Phnom Penh itself. Cambodia‟s capital sits
at the confluence of three rivers and was once called
the Pearl of Asia. It is an incongruous cluster of
crumbling French colonial houses and the city enjoys
its own kind of harmony of opposites. Visitors are
offered the peaceful moments of a riverside sunset
along with dusty, motorbike-choked labyrinthine
alleys and busy colourful markets. Phnom Penh
should definitely not be missed during your journey
through Indochina.
Watch the trailer here
A British film production from 1957, The Bridge on
the River Kwai, is considered one of the most well
known World War II movies ever made.
British prisoners of war are asked to work on the
construction of an important strategic railway bridge,
for the Japanese occupying forces in former Siam.
This bridge, crossing the River Kwai, would form an
integral part of the Burma railway, which was
constructed by thousands of prisoners from various
nationalities.
Nowadays, the bridge is a “must see” for all visitors
to Western Thailand, only a two-hour journey outside
of Bangkok. The Thailand-Burma Railway museum,
the war cemetery and the actual bridge are part of
the sightseeing program. Near the River Kwai, various
lodging possibilities are being offered, from basic
floating Jungle Raft Rooms to luxury Safari Tents.
Diethelm Travel combines trips to Kanchanaburi
province with a visit to the world famous Damnoen
Saduak Floating Market.
Thailand
Watch the trailer here
Thailand
Phang Na Bay is filled with an abundance of
limestone formations, rising out of emerald water.
The most famous landmark of the Bay is called
“James Bond” Island, named after the 1973 movie
production, The Man with the Golden Gun.
A golden bullet with Bond‟s code 007 etched into its
surface, is received at the MI6 headquarters. James
follows the trail of the golden bullet and eventually
arrives at “James Bond Island.” Scaramanga, owner
of the island, has hidden a solar gun in the
mushroom shaped rock island, which James Bond is
able to destroy, before sailing off unharmed in a
Chinese junk on the Andaman Sea…
This spectacular setting is just a 90 minutes journey
from Phuket and is indeed a tourist attraction, nobody
can afford to miss. The best way to discover Phang
Nga Bay is by boat; be it aboard an old junk, a
comfortable tourist boat or an agile speedboat. Not to
be forgotten are the canoeing trips in this
breathtaking postcard scenery.
Watch the trailer here
Mission Impossible III, produced in 2005, was the
first Hollywood film shot in the ancient city of Xitang.
Super-spy Ethan Hunt, (acted by Tom Cruise), has to
confront the toughest villain he has ever faced; an
international weapons and information provider, with
no remorse and no conscience. A thrilling chase in
which, Ethan runs from his opponent, leads him over
the roof-tops, bridges and through the narrow streets
of Xitang.
Xitang is located 90 kilometres or a 2 hour drive,
from Shanghai. Nine rivers cross the old town and
divide it into eight sections. The rivers, running
underneath wooden housing structures and old stone
bridges, catch and reflect the highlights of this
ancient town beautifully. Visitors should sit during
sunset, at one of the famous bars and watch silky
mist slowly covering the river. Xitang is also famous
for its street food: try the local yellow rice wine or the
sticky rice dumplings with various fillings.
China
Watch the trailer here
China
During World War II, at the time of China‟s takeover
of Tibet, Austrian mountaineer, Heinrich Harrer and
his companion, escape from a British internment
camp in northern India to Tibet. After their escape,
the two spend Seven Years in Tibet, during which
time Harrer, (acted by Brad Pitt), becomes a friend
and tutor of the 14th Dalai Lama.
The movie portrays Tibetan customs and the
household of the Dalai Lama, as well as the
friendship between the Austrian climber and the
young Dalai Lama. However, the real star of this
movie is the breathtaking scenery. Panoramic views
of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, Tibetan prayer
flags in the wind and big plains with only a couple of
yak grazing.
Diethelm Travel China offers culturally and spiritually
interested travellers, the opportunity to explore
Tibet‟s ancient monasteries and unique local customs.
Watch the trailer here
Mumbai, the economic capital of India, is also home
to the biggest slum of Asia, called Dharavi. You will
get a taste of this side of Mumbai from the Oscar
winning film Slumdog Millionaire. The Film
showcases the life of people living in the slums of
Mumbai and tells the story of Jamal Malik, a young
man from Dharavi, who appears on the Indian
version of „Who Wants to Be a Millionaire‟. He
exceeds people's expectations and his success
arouses suspicion, leading to law enforcement
officials investigating the matter.
The other side of Mumbai, is a city full of glamour,
rich lifestyles and of course Bollywood; the biggest
film industry in the world, which produces over 1000
films every year. However, modern Mumbai is not just
about movies and slums, but it is a blend of rich and
poor, of tradition and modernity; which can be seen
in every aspect of daily life in the Metropolis. Join a
fascinating Diethelm Travel city tour to experience
this paradox.
India
Watch the trailer here
India
Udaipur is dominated by the massive City Palace
overlooking Lake Pichola, with its famous island
palace, picturesque mansions, ghats and temples
along the lake front, as well as, lively bazaars in the
Old City. Apart from Bollywood films, some well-
known Hollywood movies have also been filmed here;
the most famous being James Bond’s Octopussy.
The Grand Lake Palace, which is synonymous with
Udaipur, has been accredited for being one of the
most romantic places in the world. It was also prime
setting for the James Bond classic Octopussy, being
the secluded den of the main character.
This dream of white marble is nowadays a luxury
hotel with 83 rooms and suites, offering sumptuous
comfort. The „Royal Butlers‟, who are descendents of
the original palace retainers, will ensure that you are
treated like royalty after a long day of sightseeing, in
Udaipur. Accommodation as well as excursions and
day trips can be booked through Diethelm Travel.
Watch the trailer here
Set in Saigon in the 1950‟s, The Quiet American
tells the story of a British foreign correspondent
Fowler, his Vietnamese mistress and a young
American CIA operative, named Pyle. While the first
Indochina War is coming to an end, Pyle gets not
only involved with a corrupt Vietnamese militia leader,
but also with Fowler‟s girl.
Close to the old Saigon Opera House, on Lam Son
Square and the nearby colonial-style Central Post
Office, is where Fowler fist runs into Pyle and where
much of the movie‟s action takes place. In fact, it was
in Lam Son Square, where the movie producers were
allowed to stage a massive explosion, caused by
Pyle‟s militia group. The Quiet American displays the
old charm and historic buildings of Ho Chi Min City
exactly and while watching the movie, with its period
cars and 1950‟s fashion, one wishes to be able to turn
back time and pay the old Saigon a visit.
Vietnam
Watch the trailer here
Vietnam
L’Indochine is a French production about a
plantation owner and her adopted Vietnamese
daughter, set in the 1930‟s, when Vietnam was still
called Indochine, under the French colonial rule.
The film was introduced at the time Vietnam opened
its doors to international tourists and some scenes
were filmed in Halong Bay. One island in particular,
the Su Tu Bien or Sea Lion Islet was chosen as the
background for the movie. It is only 10 minutes away
from the Bay Chay Tourist Wharf and can be reached
easily by boat. The more adventurous traveller will
pass the island, which resembles a lion stretching, on
a canoe tour from Thien Cung to the Dau Go Grottos.
Halong Bay lies 165 kilometres east of Hanoi and is
filled with thousands of islets of all shapes and sizes.
With its spectacular beauty, tourists who visit Halong
Bay, at any time of the year, are always fascinated.
Watch the trailer here
Ingredients:
4 large single chicken breast fillets
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
50g (1/4 cup) coarsely grated palm sugar
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tbs finely grated ginger
1 tbs Ayam curry powder
Pinch of ground turmeric
160ml (2/3 cup) coconut milk
2 tbs fish sauce
Vegetable oil, to grease
Recipe of the Month
Nam Jim Satay (peanut sauce)
100g dry-roasted peanuts
185ml (3/4 cup) coconut milk
1 tbs Maesri red curry paste
50g (1/4 cup) coarsely grated palm sugar
2 tbs fish sauce
1 tbs tamarind puree
Adjat (cucumber relish)
80ml (1/3 cup) water
80ml (1/3 cup) rice wine vinegar
50g (1/4 cup) coarsely grated palm sugar
2 French shallots, peeled, thinly sliced
1 Lebanese cucumber, quartered, thinly sliced
1 small fresh red chilli, thinly sliced
How to make Satay Gai:
1. Remove the tenderloin from each chicken breast and cut the breast diagonally into 3 pieces. Place 1
chicken piece between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Use the flat side of a meat mallet or a rolling pin to
gently pound until the chicken is about 1cm thick. Repeat with remaining chicken pieces. Transfer
the chicken to a glass or ceramic bowl.
2. Toast the coriander and cumin seeds in a frying pan over medium-low heat, stirring, for 1 minute or
until aromatic. Transfer to a mortar and pound with a pestle until finely ground.
3. Add the coriander mixture, sugar, garlic, ginger,
curry powder, turmeric, coconut milk and fish
sauce to the chicken and turn to coat. Cover and
place in the fridge for 2 hours to marinate.
4. Meanwhile, to make the Nam Jim Satay, place the
peanuts in a mortar and use a pestle to pound
until finely crushed. Heat the coconut milk in a
small saucepan over medium heat for 1 minute.
Add the curry paste and stir until well combined.
Bring to simmer. Add the crushed peanuts, sugar,
fish sauce and tamarind puree and stir to
combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3
minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. To make the Adjat, combine the water, vinegar,
sugar, shallot, cucumber and chilli in a small bowl.
6. Drain the chicken from the marinade. Thread the
chicken onto the skewers. Brush a large frying
pan with oil to lightly grease. Place over medium-
high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes
each side or until golden and cooked through.
7. Put chicken skewers on serving plates. Spoon over
some of the Nam Jim Satay. Serve immediately
with the Adjat and the remaining Nam Jim Satay.
Source: Taste, www.taste.com.au
Satay Gai (Chicken Satay)
Visa Regulations
INDIA
New Zealand, Finland, Luxembourg, Singapore,
Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos
and Myanmar.
VOA‟s can only be obtained at Delhi, Mumbai,
Chennai or Kolkata Airport.
Important:
We recommend always carrying a printed copy
of your e-tickets with you when travelling
to/within India, as a plane ticket has to be
shown, in order to be able to enter any airport
in India.
If a tourist would like to visit India twice in a
row, she/he has to make sure that there is a
gap of at least two months between the two
visits. Should the visitor need to enter the
country again, within a period of two months of
his last departure, she/he has to obtain special
permission from the immigration port of entry
concerned.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs, Bureau of Immigration
www.immigrationindia.nic.in
All foreign nationals, with the exception of
nationals from Bhutan and Nepal, travelling to
India, require an Indian Visa. One needs to
obtain the visa from the Indian Consulate or
Embassy, in their country.
When applying for a tourist visa, visitors will
need to obtain a visa application form from the
Embassy. Alternatively, complete an online
application form for a visa processing agency,
where available.
Along with the application and fee, a passport
valid for a least six months, at least two blank
pages, a recent passport sized photo and details
of the itinerary, need to be submitted. In some
countries, proof of residential address may also
be required.
The Ministry of External Affairs has recently
announced that single-entry, „Visa On Arrival‟
(VOA), with a maximum validity of 30 days is
available. The following ten countries qualify:
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D - B r i e f
Diethelm Travel GroupKian Gwan II Bldg, 14/F140/1 Wireless Road,
Bangkok 10330, ThailandPhone: +66 2 660 7000 / Fax: +66 2 660 7027
E-mail: [email protected]
www.diethelmtravel.com