10 Movies & Shows Like Transit (2018)

Description: The film tells the story of a man who reappears after years of wandering and attempts to reconnect with his family. It explores themes of dislocation, memory, and the search for identity amidst a backdrop of vast, open landscapes.

Fact: The screenplay was written in just eight days. The iconic final scene was shot in a single take and required no rehearsals.

Description: The film captures the fleeting nature of a chance encounter between two strangers who spend a night wandering through a foreign city. It explores themes of connection, time, and the impermanence of moments, much like the transient experiences of being on the move.

Fact: The entire film was shot in just 15 days, with most scenes being first takes. The script was heavily influenced by the director's own experiences traveling through Europe.

Description: This biographical film follows a young Che Guevara on a transformative journey across South America. It highlights the themes of self-discovery, the impact of travel on personal growth, and the transient nature of life on the road.

Fact: The film was shot in chronological order to mirror the actual journey of Che Guevara. Many of the locations visited were the same ones Guevara traveled to in real life.

Description: This movie delves into the feelings of alienation and connection in a foreign land, portraying two characters who form a deep bond while navigating the unfamiliarity of Tokyo. The narrative emphasizes the transient nature of human relationships and the search for meaning in unfamiliar surroundings.

Fact: Much of the dialogue was improvised, giving the film a spontaneous and authentic feel. The iconic karaoke scene was shot in a single take.

Description: The film explores themes of displacement and the experience of being stuck in a liminal space, focusing on a man who lives in an airport terminal due to bureaucratic issues. It captures the emotional and psychological challenges of being in transit and the human connections formed in such situations.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life story of Mehran Karimi Nasseri, who lived in Charles de Gaulle Airport for 18 years. The set of the terminal was built to scale, complete with functioning shops and restaurants.

Description: The movie follows a man on a road trip to revisit past lovers, delving into themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the search for closure. The journey becomes a metaphor for the transient and often unresolved nature of human relationships.

Fact: The film was shot in just 27 days. The director used a minimalist approach, often allowing long takes to capture the protagonist's introspective moments.

Description: This film follows three brothers on a train journey across India, exploring themes of familial bonds, personal transformation, and the transient nature of travel. The narrative is steeped in the symbolism of movement and the search for meaning.

Fact: The train used in the film was a real Indian railway train that was specially painted for the movie. The brothers' luggage was custom-made and plays a significant symbolic role in the story.

Description: This film centers on a mysterious loner traveling through Spain on a cryptic mission. It explores themes of solitude, the ambiguity of identity, and the surreal, almost dreamlike quality of being in transit.

Fact: The film features very little dialogue, relying instead on visual storytelling and atmospheric tension. Many of the locations were chosen for their architectural and cultural significance.

Description: This road movie follows a couple traveling across North America in search of a place to call home. It examines themes of rootlessness, the search for belonging, and the emotional journey of finding one's place in the world.

Fact: The film features a soundtrack entirely composed by indie folk artist Alexi Murdoch. Many of the locations visited by the couple were chosen for their personal significance to the filmmakers.

Description: The movie revolves around a man who spends most of his life traveling for work, embodying the transient lifestyle of constant movement. It explores the emotional toll of a life spent in transit and the fleeting connections made along the way.

Fact: The film used real-life unemployed individuals for the scenes where characters are being fired, adding a layer of authenticity. The director encouraged improvisation to capture natural performances.