Barcelona through TV Shows, Movies, and Music!
TV shows, movies, and songs have been referencing Barcelona and using it either as an anecdote or a filming set for decades, contributing to the growth of tourism from cineast fans. I mean why not mention one of the best European cities in your production right? Be careful, this article may contain spoilers for the TV Shows and Movies mentioned. Also, it can give you the irresistible desire to start binge watching and directly book your ticket to Barcelona!
1. F.R.I.E.N.D.S
One of the first one to mention Barcelona would be Joey in Friends. As a good friend, Joey is trying to explain how to seduce women to Ross who is going through a dry spell. He tells him about this story that he came up with, to seduce women and that makes him irresistible. In the story, he travels across Western Europe and during his stay there, he paid a visit to the Mount Tibidabo where the rest of the story follows.
Ross, in turn, tries to use the story to flirt but with no result. However, later on, Rachel tries to use the same story with Ross and end up spending the night together.
2. How I Met Your Mother
Another big American TV shows that mention the city of Barcelona is How I Met Your Mother in the season 8 episode 123.
Ted boasts about his great backpacking ability while telling Marshall and Lily a tale of him traveling (through Barcelona/Spain) for 2 weeks with nothing but a travelers belt, or fanny pack. He said the locals gave him the name of “El Ganso Con La Riñonera” saying this meant “Packer of great skill and merit”, however, Marshall tells him that in fact, this means “Fanny pack dork”. Future Ted confirms Marshall was right. In the little sequel video, you can see him with his fanny pack in front of Parc Güell.
3. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
We defy you to watch this movie without wanting to hop on a plane and head to Barcelona. The movie is about Vicky – sensible and grounded – and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) – romantic and reckless – who arrive for a summer break in Barcelona, the capital of the Catalonian region.
The city is bursting with art, as Vicky and Cristina discover as soon as they get off the plane – the façade of Terminal 2 at Barcelona’s Aeroport del Prat boasts a dazzling ceramic mural, dating from 1970, by Surrealist Joan Miró.
The most recognizable of all must be the tapering spires of Gaudí’s Church of La Sagrada Familia which is under continuous construction since 1882, the church still remains unfinished. Another extraordinary Gaudí design is the rooftop, where Vicky and Cristina wander among the weirdly humanoid chimneys, which is that of Casa Milà, 92, Passeig de Gràcia, in the Eixample district.
4. L’auberge Espagnole
In L’auberge Espagnole, you will be able to travel around Barcelona thanks to Romain Duris.
You will visit the most emblematic monument of Barcelona, the superb basilica of the Sagrada Familia which is a must-see. It is the biggest project of Gaudi to which he dedicated the whole end of his life but it is still under construction. The interior is really worth it too. Do not miss out on climbing the towers, just like in the movie, where you will enjoy a superb panorama of the city. More, see the famous mosaic benches of Gaudi in Parc Guell when Romain Duris Kisses Judith Godrèche on the famous mosaic, one of the most famous scenes of l’Auberge Espagnole.
The friends of L’Auberge Espagnole also meet at the tapas bar l’Iposa. During your stay in Barcelona be sure to taste the local sangria and tapas, two typical Spanish specialties. Then the party is never very far and can extend until the early morning, any day of the week.
4. Barcelona- Ed Sheeran
Last but not least, the British singer Ed Sheeran dedicated a song to Barcelona in his Album ‘Divide’. He mentions in his lyrics about La Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas “So let’s pretend we’re dancing in the street; In Barcelona; Las Ramblas, I’ll meet you, we’ll dance around La Sagrada Familia”.
He loved Barcelona so much that he decided to tattoo the Sagrada Familia on the left side of his stomach. Nothing to get more excited than listening to his song Barcelona while being on the plane to Spain!
Photo credits:
learningfromhollywood.pl
movie-tourist.blogspot.com.es/2013/01/lauberge-espagnole-2002.html
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