movies

Film, in a sense, is a form of magic. It has the power to transport us to new destinations, different time periods, and various situations—all from our seats. It’s no wonder that as humans we want a little more of this magic in our lives, so we travel to locations appearing in our favorite films. But what is the motivation behind the desire to travel to these places?

Along the grass-lined streets, George McFly gets beat up by Biff again. Lorraine Baines gazes out the window admiringly at her son skateboarding down the road. Away from the square, the Tannen, McFly, Baines, and Brown houses line the street, waiting for tourists. No cell phones ring. Though opportunities abound, no one takes selfies. Instead, people take pictures with secondhand cameras, not smartphones. Is this the past? No, it’s the future—Back to the Future, that is—of movies with SecretCinema.

Stephanie Wilson of Portland, Oregon, was sitting on the curb at the Gaslamp Quarter—an area directly across from the San Diego Convention Center—waiting patiently to go grab dinner with some friends. Suddenly, a swarm of zombies emerged from around the corner. “At this point, it didn’t even matter that my friends were late because, well, zombies!” says Wilson.

in·dy 'in-dē n, adj : Short for independent and used in phrases such as “indy films.” Doesn’t always mean low-budget. As a movement, “indy” connotes trendy-while-pretending-not-to-be-trendy. One who is “indy” may sport uniquely shaped hats, retro glasses, and eco-friendly duds.

You don’t have to book a light-speed flight to Endor to see amazing locations featured in the epic Star Wars saga. Locations on our own planet provided the backdrop for the scenes in these beloved movies—and you can visit them. Here’s a sample: