Living in Peru and having seen Machu Picchu three times, I saw this movie quite warming. The shots of the mountains surely capture the breathtaking beauty. But the scenes of the homes and small businesses lead us to believe everyone lives in high-end gift shops or small museums, which would be quite attractive to pass-through tourists. But realists may want to look into the hearts of the people. The movie sets aside the tolerance that permeates the culture, keeping life in Peru quite enjoyable no matter what the rest of the world may be writhing about. Although the movie attempts to show Ariana as a nature and culture lover, it falls way too short of reality. Further, the title "Backpackers" also misleads us. In Spanish it's "Hasta que nos volvamos a encontrar," which translates to "Until we return to see each other." Considering the immense amount of international backpackers who pass through the area, and the plethora of stories they have to tell, the translation of the title drops the movie in the wrong bin. The plot could occur in almost any vacation setting. But the scenery makes it worth watching again... perhaps with the sound turned off.
Review of Backpackers
