Escapism is a tricky topic. Where I come from, 'escapist' is a title Tel Avivians are often slapped with, for the shielded, stylish, detached life they seemingly leading. I've heard New Yorkers and Londoners being called escapist too, for similar reasons; big city life offers endless possibilities to dissolve in pleasures and experiences, to the point of determining one's identity beyond, or without, the country they're physically in.
On the other hand, catching a flight to a getaway destination is also 'escapist', yet isn't judged as harshly. The bigger the leap, the distance you put between yourself and reality, the warmer is the attitude towards escaping it all. And to skip judgement all together? Staying at home, no matter where it is, watching A Bigger Splash, is your best bet.
On the other hand, catching a flight to a getaway destination is also 'escapist', yet isn't judged as harshly. The bigger the leap, the distance you put between yourself and reality, the warmer is the attitude towards escaping it all. And to skip judgement all together? Staying at home, no matter where it is, watching A Bigger Splash, is your best bet.
Three things you'll want to do after watching this film:
1. Book a trip to Pantelleria, the Sicilian island the plot takes place on.
2. Listen to Emotional Rescue, the Rolling Stones song you never knew you loved (scroll down, press play), and dance uncontrollably (inspired by Ralph Fiennes).
3. Become Tilda Swinton. No? Steal her Dior vacation wardrobe.
1. Book a trip to Pantelleria, the Sicilian island the plot takes place on.
2. Listen to Emotional Rescue, the Rolling Stones song you never knew you loved (scroll down, press play), and dance uncontrollably (inspired by Ralph Fiennes).
3. Become Tilda Swinton. No? Steal her Dior vacation wardrobe.
It is not, honestly, the most thought-through movie, or the most cohesive one. But the other-worldliness level is skyrocketing; everyone is impeccably dressed, the island life is irresistible, and that restaurant (I googled it, without success)? A dream. Bonus point: steamy hot Matthias Schoenaerts. Even the harshest escapism naysayers will melt.