Zipping by on a Vespa in Roman Holiday

The European summer is so unpredictable – and short-lived, for that matter – that we must seize every possible opportunity to embrace it and be reminded of it. And what better way than curling up with a film? Admittedly, our pale and interesting look will benefit more than the tan we were dreaming of, but watching films can tickle our fancies and make us daydream that even the dreariest corner of Slough is in fact a sun-drenched city somewhere tropical…

Here are our top five summery films; please, don’t get too upset reading this, I’m sure the sun will come back soon.

Roman Holiday

Audrey Hepburn plays a stifled princess in this vintage rom-com, running away from her royal duties during an official trip to Rome and pretending to be a ‘normal’ person, craftily changing her name from Ann to the incredibly ingenious Anya Smith. A life-changing encounter with the delicious Gregory Peck leads to one of the most romantic and unforgettable plots in cinema history. Roman Holiday is set in Italy’s historic capital, and rides on Vespas past the Coliseum and the hustle and bustle of hot, sunny afternoons in Rome are all dreamy indications of the adventures that summer can bring (whether you’re royal or not). Audrey is also fabulous in Paris When It Sizzles and Funny Face – both capturing the fun and frivolity of summer in Paris.

Alice In Wonderland

No, silly, not the recent remake starring Johnny Depp (swoon) but rather the award-winning 1972 all-British version. With Michael Crawford as the White Rabbit and a wide-eyed Fiona Fullerton as Alice, it is a lavish romp from start to finish. It’s considered one of the most faithful adaptations of Lewis Carroll’s classic, despite the fact that it’s also a musical, with songs inlcluding ‘The Me I Never Knew’ and ‘The Pun Song’ sung by the cast, and a score by master composer John Barry. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is one of those stories that will always be magical and the idea of tea parties with the Mad Hatter, croquet with the Queen of Hearts and dozing on the riverbank are all subtle hints at the great British summertime.

500 Days of Summer

This is a cheat film. It has only managed to claw its way on to the list due to the simple fact that it has the word ‘summer’ in its title and so therefore one cannot help but think of lovely sunshine-based things. It may have divided critics, but 500 Days of Summer was one of the biggest and most commercially successful films of 2009. Centring around hapless – but lovely – Tom and his endeavours to make free-spirit Summer his girl, the film has lots of warbly summery music; ‘Sweet Disposition’ by The Temper Trap was used in the film and subsequently played to death throughout the year. Summer wears lots of pretty dresses and there are picnics in the park and big gushing fountains, all of which add up to broken hearts and, ultimately, a changing of the seasons. At the very end of the film, Tom starts dating a girl named – wait for it – Autumn.

Riverside exploits in Chocolat

Chocolat

Chocolat is a American film that’s pretending to be French.  And it stars the very American Johnny Depp, as a French gypsy with an Irish accent. And the very French Juliet Binoche as a sensual, chocolate-loving single mother who speaks English. And it was released in 2001, but is set in the 1950′s. Yes, you’re probably slightly puzzled, but that could just be the heat. Much of the film was shot in the pretty and picturesque Burgundy countryside and as the audience we are given a delicious insight into 1950′s village life, human relationships and, perhaps most importantly, chocolate-making. With hazy French evenings, exploits with guitar-strumming gypsies by the riverbank and flirty teadresses, you’re guaranteed to be lusting for summer (and chocolate) by the time the credits roll.

The Bicycle Thieves

If the Italians are good at one thing (apart from food, art and fashion!), it’s pulling off the perfect summer image with ease (see Roman Holiday). The Bicycle Thieves is Vittorio de Sica’s 1948 masterpiece, chronicling the difficulties faced by post-war Italians. The plot focuses on impoverished Antonio Ricci who, along with his young son, strives to retrieve his stolen bicycle. The bicycle is representative of Ricci’s family’s survival; devoid of a happy ending, the film may not be traditionally ‘summery’, but the scenery and settings are too beautiful to ignore despite the misery that they co-exist with. The scorched earth and squinting eyes are tangibly real and raw, as were the actors: de Sica chose to cast regular people who he found on the streets of Italy rather than big name Hollywood stars. Not exactly happy viewing but definitely hot enough to make you fancy some gelato.

And if you like your films a little more arty…

● Wild Strawberries – Ingmar Bergman’s 1957 film is an enigmatic, contemplative masterpiece. The title refers to the wild strawberries that symbolise the brief, yet glorious summer days in Sweden.

● Respiro – With the dramatic scenery of Lampedusa as backdrop, Emanuele Crialese’s film is a cinematographic delight. Myth and realism meet in the dramatic storyline and it’s a moving, vital film that reflects the passion and power of Sicily.

● Contempt -  Taking in Rome and Capri, Jean Luc Godard’s sundrenched shots of a sensual, beguiling Brigitte Bardot are captivating. It’s underscored by Georges Delerue’s hypnotic compositions, which make for a very seductive film indeed.

● Black Cat, White Cat – Emir Kusturica’s hilarious film features a cast of colourful characters, including aged gangsters, dwarf  brides and gypsy mafiosi. It’s a riot from beginning to end, played along to gypsy beats during a sweltering Balkan summer.

● In The City of Sylvia – As slow and dreamy as a lazy summer afternoon, José Luis Guerín’s film is very simple, yet beautiful and different, filled with memories and longing.

The trailer for Emanuele Crialese’s Respiro