While most of 2020 restricted our travels, the release of diverse shows and films across OTT platforms let our imagination wander where our feet could not. Bookmark this wholesome web content to experience the world virtually from your couch. By Shrimayee Thakur
Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father
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Comedian Jack Whitehall and his father travel to Australia in the fourth season of this hilarious travel series released on Netflix this September. The show pits the English comedian’s jovial nature against his father’s conservative outlook as they experience a new culture. The show gives its audience the chance to see beautiful places and cultures through a unique, and extremely entertaining, lens. It is the perfect fix for those who miss travelling with family.
Axone
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Northeastern culture finds itself ill at ease in a typical cramped neighbourhood of Delhi when a group of friends decide to prepare a delicacy from Nagaland for their friend’s wedding. The dish in question is axone, a fermented soybean dish with a strong smell. Released on Netflix in June this year, the film is an ode to the lived experience of many Northeasterners who move to other parts of India, and has been directed by Nicholas Kharkongor, who is from Meghalaya.
A Suitable Boy
Based on the timeless novel of the same name by Vikram Seth, A Suitable Boy (a six-episode miniseries) has been praised for wonderful performances by Tabu and Ishan Khattar, and elaborate set design showcasing post-Independence India in 1951. Released on Netflix in October, the famous story has been brought to life on screen with director Mira Nair’s signature storytelling. The story begins in the fictional town of Brahmpur, situated between Patna and Banaras, and moves through Delhi, Calcutta, and Lucknow. It examines the various political and social issues of the time leading up to the first national election in 1952, including communal tensions, caste issues, and abolition of the zamindari system.
The Queen’s Gambit
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Based on a novel of the same name by Walter Tevis, this story of an orphaned chess prodigy has been touted to be the best series released by Netflix this year. It stayed steady at the No. 1 spot for multiple weeks since its release in October. Set in the Cold War era, it follows Beth Harmon’s journey as she struggles with addiction and strives to rise to the top in a male-dominated sport. Impeccable attention to period details, fabulous locales (Berlin, Ontario, etc.) in which the tournaments are held, and a talented cast create one of the most immersive experiences of the year.
Elephant
Narrated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, this documentary follows a spirited little elephant named Jomo, his mother Shani and her sister, Gaia, who is also the matriarch of the herd, as they journey across the Kalahari desert in South Africa in search of grassy paradise. The documentary, which was released on Disney+Hotstar in April, is primarily aimed at engaging children, but the stunning visuals of the desert and its inhabitants are something even adults would enjoy.
Chef’s Table: BBQ
Dive into the world of barbeque with this critically acclaimed series on Netflix. While it is renowned for stunning visuals of culinary performance, the show keeps the focus firmly on the people behind the art. This segment of the show, released in September, visits celebrated chefs and pitmasters in the US, Australia, and Mexico, and is a reminder that food is inextricably linked to culture, history, and knowledge systems. We recommend you don’t watch this one on an empty stomach.
Connected
“This is a show about the astonishing connections all around us. Connections between you, me, and our world that’ll make you see that world in a whole new way,” science journalist Latif Nasser promises in the trailer for his show that was released on Netflix in August. It is a promise that he lives up to in each episode as he hunts for answers around the world, to questions like ‘what is the relationship between the cloud over our heads to the cloud that stores our data?’ Nasser is the perfect host, with his wide-eyed curiosity and wit, for a show that’s packed with revelations and laughter.
Gulabo Sitabo
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This film, released on Amazon Prime Video in April, transports you to a 100-year-old haveli in Lucknow. The crumbling mansion is the subject of a long feud between its owner’s husband, Mirza (played by Amitabh Bachchan), and a wily tenant, Baankey Rastogi (played by Ayushmann Khurrana). The hilarious plot twists and social commentary on greed come laced with beautiful visuals of Lucknow’s old-world charm, very much alive in its beautiful mansions, narrow lanes, and as the title suggests, traditional puppet shows.
Emily In Paris
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Travel to Paris with American marketing executive Emily Cooper (played by Lily Collins), who is brought in as an American point of view to a French firm. The protagonist struggles to manage her career, new friendships, and love in this lighthearted comedy-drama TV series, released on Netflix in October. Mesmerising visuals of the city accompany the lead character’s enviable wardrobe, which is at home in the art capital of the world.
My Octopus Teacher
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Filmmaker Craig Foster finds the antidote to his exhaustion and depression in free diving off the coast of Cape Town in South Africa, where he forges an unusual friendship with an octopus. As he gains her trust, Foster is able to explore her world and watches with awe as she dodges danger and rises above adversity with creativity and intelligence. The documentary, released on Netflix in September, covers a year spent by Foster observing his tentacled friend. By tracking the octopus’s movements, Foster lets the viewers experience her natural habitat through her eyes, and uses it to remind us that we humans are a part of nature, not mere witnesses.
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