Nilgin Yusuf

‘I love donkeys,’ enthuses EO director Jerzy Skolimowski. ‘I’d have one as a pet, if it wasn’t for their size.’ The Polish filmmaker, a veteran of such ’70s cult cuts as Deep End and The Shout, would know: he’s just spent two years working with six of them to bring his Oscar-nominated masterpiece to the screen. Set in Poland and Italy, EO shows the world through a donkey’s eyes, inviting us to share its joys and suffering in a way that’s guaranteed to make you a donkey convert.  A key touchstone for the film is Robert Bresson’s 1966 donkey classic Au Hasard Balthazar. Skolimowski saw it at the cinema when it came out and it stuck with him – he remembers weeping at the travails of its little donkey hero. But transplanting its themes to modern-day Europe made for a singular filming experience, even for a director who lives in the Polish forest and loves to connect with nature (ask him about feeding the local deer). Its unique, four-hoofed stars saw to that. Donkeys may not be unionised or carry Equity cards, but their working conditions are still enshrined in law. The working day is capped at eight hours, and while they won’t retreat to their trailers like high-maintenance thespians, directorial notes need to be delivered quietly – and, ideally, with a carrot. And even that isn’t always enough to get them to hit their marks. Donkeys are highly intelligent, sensitive animals but they are stubborn ‘They’re highly intelligent, sensitive animals but they are stubborn,’ says Skolimo

Before ‘immersive’ became a hot ticket for the latest movie encounter, guided tours have had always offered the thrilling opportunity to step inside the world of films and filmmakers’ creative landscapes. Whether you’re a hardened cinephile, a 007 fanatic or a devoted Harry Potter-head, there’s a wealth of easily accessible film studios and movie locations out there ready to be discovered. Plus, what better way to rack up the step count than following in the footsteps of movie legends. Here’s 12 of the best to factor into your 2023 travel plans.RECOMMENDED: 🗺️ 101 places all movie lovers should visit🧙🏻 The best Harry Potter tours in London