Gringo Trails (2013)

Gringo Trails raises urgent questions about one of the most powerful global industries of our time: tourism. With stunning footage from Bolivia, Thailand, Mali, and Bhutan, the film follows... See full summary »

Director:

Pegi Vail

Writer:

Pegi Vail

Stars:

Costas Christ, Yossi Ghinsberg, Pico Iyer

Cast

Credited cast:
Costas Christ	...	Costas Christ
Yossi Ghinsberg	...	Yossi Ghinsberg
Pico Iyer	...	Pico Iyer
Holly Morris	...	Self
Anja Mutic	...	Anja Mutic
Rolf Potts	...	Rolf Potts

Storyline

Gringo Trails raises urgent questions about one of the most powerful global industries of our time: tourism. With stunning footage from Bolivia, Thailand, Mali, and Bhutan, the film follows the well-worn 'gringo trail' travel route in Latin America and beyond, revealing a complex web of relationships between cultures that collide yet need one another: host countries looking for financial security and the tourists who provide it in their quest for authentic experiences. Travelers, transformed by new landscapes and beliefs, also have unforeseeable--sometimes catastrophic effects on the places they visit. Through the life-changing stories of travelers and locals, Gringo Trails explores the dramatic impact of tourism around the world over the past three decades and gives examples of sustainable alternatives.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Adventure | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

User Reviews

Alexis Wahsington Gringo Trails review

Capturing the essence and dangers of the Bolivian amazon jungle, Pegi Vail's documentary Gringo Trails showcases one man's will to survive in the jungle. Documenting the search for backpacker Yossi Ghinsberg who was swept away by the river and found twenty-five days later looking like he had came from a concentration camp. Compelled by his experience, Yossi wrote a book about what he went through while stranded in the middle of the jungle. By selling his story,Yossi's was able to help boost backpacking tourism for a developing country. This film shows how tourism can be detrimental to a country's natural environment. A lesson learned from watching the film is that tourist need to be mindful that they are a guest in someone else's country and respect certain implications put in place to preserve the environment. Also we see how backpackers prefer to be indulged in their environment rather than staying in a hotel because it creates a more memorable experience for them. Through the different interviews and views of tourism documented in the film, we can learn how tourism can boost an economy but also be detrimental to the environment.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site

Country:

USA Bhutan Bolivia Mali Thailand

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

1 January 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gringo Trails: How Big Is Your Footprint?

Filming Locations:

Timbuktu, Mali

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$158, 20 April 2014

Gross USA:

$8,349

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,349

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Color:

Color