Episode Details
Back to Episodes
The impact of Leonardo DiCaprio's The Beach
Description
“The movie does feel so dated…and yet, there’s a part of me that can relate to traveling across the world, landing somewhere, finding yourself surrounded by what’s all too familiar, and wanting something more. I think that sort of theme is still probably as relevant as ever.” – Jim Benning
This episode of Deviate focuses on the 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio movie that was based on Alex Garland’s book, The Beach. Rolf begins by reading his essay Storming the Beach (6:00), followed by a discussion with Jim Benning on post-modern travel and the differences between the book and movie (42:00); the impact of social media, and previously, Lonely Planet, on travel (1:08:00); and authenticity of travel in 2019 (1:35:00).
Jim Benning (@jimbenning) is a travel writer and co-founder of the online travel magazine World Hum, which eventually was acquired by the Travel Channel. His work has appeared in such publications as The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, BBC.com, and National Geographic Adventure. Jim now serves as editor-in-chief of Texas Journey and as a features editor of Westways for AAA publishing. For more about Jim, check out http://www.jimbenning.net.
Notable Links:
- Marco Polo Didn’t Go There, by Rolf Potts (collection of travel stories)
- A spy on “The Beach”, by Rolf Potts (travel dispatch)
- Live from the trans-global Beach Nation, by Rolf Potts (travel dispatch)
- The Significance of Salon Travel, by Jim Benning (article)
- Bill Bryson (author)
- Salon (online magazine)
- Don George (writer and editor)
- Alex Garland (writer and director)
- Andrew Macdonald (film producer)
- Lonely Planet (guide book publisher)
- DiCaprio Swims With the Plankton in Paradise, by Elvis Mitchell (film review)
- Khao San Road (Bangkok backpacker ghetto)
- The Place to Disappear, by Susan Orlean (article)
- The Same River Twice: Bangkok in Three Acts (Rolf on Khao San Road in 2010)
- Thailand bay made popular by ‘The Beach’ to remain closed for two more years (article)
- Banana Pancake Trail (travel route)
- Legend
Listen Now
Love PodBriefly?
If you like Podbriefly.com, please consider donating to support the ongoing development.
Support Us