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Many people here are suffering from stress caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late January, due to restrictions on outdoor activities and overseas travel.
On Sept. 18, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to extend its special advisory recommending against overseas travel, citing the continuing spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The advisory, which was first imposed in March, will be effective until Oct. 19 and could be extended again, according to the ministry.
As the pandemic has made traveling overseas difficult, Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, introduced five iconic locations ranging from coastal regions to vast deserts that have been featured in movies, to allow people to travel vicariously through its films.
Martha's Vineyard ― 'Jaws'
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| Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts is famous for its beautiful landscapes and quiet beaches. / Courtesy of Brand USA |
"Jaws" is the movie that immediately positioned Steven Spielberg as a star director. It also created the term "blockbuster" by being the first film in history to gross over $100 million.
The film achieved great success by delaying the introduction of the main "villain" where rather than having the audience see the shark directly, its presence is hinted at through camera angles and sound effects.
Amity Village, setting for the movie, was filmed at Martha's Vineyard located on the shores of Cape Cod. This island is a place frequented by celebrities, receiving attention for being the summer vacation spot of President Barack Obama.
In addition to this, it is famous for its beautiful landscapes and quiet beaches, and wonderful seafood dishes.
Charleston ― 'The Notebook'
"The Notebook" was filmed in Charleston, South Carolina. The film not only perfectly depicts a man passionately falling in love, but it also touched the hearts of many when it was revealed to be a true story.
As the port city located on the Atlantic coast famous for its trade with Europe, most of the buildings in the city employ European architectural styles.
The Cypress Garden, where Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) intimately connected on a boat, and the Boone Hall Plantation, where Allie grew up, show the coziness and the serenity of the southern United States.
Oljato-Monument Valley ― 'The Searchers'
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| A horseman surveys the vast expanse of Monument Valley. / Courtesy of Brand USA |
Since the early 20th century, Western films have captivated audiences around the globe.
Among those, John Ford's "The Searchers" is cited as one of the 100 greatest American movies of all time and the greatest American Western by the American Film Institute.
The film sees American Civil War veteran, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne), in a race against time to find his niece.
In addition to exciting action sequences, sweeping shots of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park further captures the spirit of the old American West.
Situated on the Arizona-Utah border, the park features massive rock formations synonymous with cowboys carving their way through the American frontier.
Los Angeles ― 'La La Land'
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| The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles as seen in the evening. / Courtesy of Brand USA |
Damien Chazelle's "La La Land" is one of the most popular musical films in recent years.
A love letter to the city of Los Angeles, the film follows the romance between pianist, Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), and actress, Mia (Emma Stone), as they chase their artistic aspirations in the city that makes or breaks dreams.
The film's stars sing and dance their way across Los Angeles, satirizing the experience of living in the City of Angels, while highlighting major cultural landmarks such as the Griffith Observatory, the Colorado Street Bridge and Hermosa Beach Pier.
Washington, D.C. ― 'Forrest Gump'
This beloved decade-spanning drama quickly became an American classic and captures the essence of the country. Robert Zemeckis's "Forrest Gump" follows an Alabama man (Tom Hanks) with an IQ score of 75 as he stumbles through some of America's most historic moments in the second half of the 20th century.
His journey across the United States brings him to Washington D.C. on several occasions, during which time he meets a few U.S. presidents at the White House, participates in an anti-Vietnam War rally on the National Mall and unwittingly exposes the infamous Watergate Scandal.
