Revamped article on Gerster and Riley's "Islands" filmed on Fuerteventura
"Additional tasks on Fuerteventura were appreciated"
Yo, here's the dish on "Islands," Jan-Ole Gerster's third directing venture starring Sam Riley, a guy on a seemingly glamorous life coaching tennis on Fuerteventura, only to be entangled in a stranger's disappearance. The flick's raked in three Lola nods at the German Film Awards.
In a heart-to-heart with ntv.de, Gerster and Riley discussed their island escapades, the protagonist's fate, the allure of Dascha Dauenhauer's score, and more.
ntv.de: Hey, Sam, you been to the Canary Islands before "Islands"?
Sam Riley: My misfit grandparents were gonna retire in Tenerife, but I only visited when I was 12. I loved workin' in the sun, though winter coats and cold strolls around Berlin's Schlachtensee were on my mind after eight weeks on the island. My character starts feelin' the heat, too, after the first three weeks shootin' in a hotel filled with holidaymakers. Cray, man!
Jan-Ole Gerster: Fuerteventura's sweet on me – I took one look at the island and its landscapes and knew I had to capture it on screen. I stumbled upon the idea for "Islands" while sittin' on my balcony, observin' a tennis coach from a mothballed court. It wasn't long 'til I caught the tennis bug and fell smitten with the dude.
Did you have a word or two with him on the spot, or just watched from afar?
Gerster: I had a quick chat with him, and his loneliness stood out. He seemed trapped in paradise but never considered escapin'. I love character types like that – escape, reality escape, and escapism are the movie's core themes.
Sam, what drew you to the role?
Riley: Workin' on Fuerteventura was the cherry on top. But the real deal was the script, the story, and the role. I devoured it in one sitting, ironically on the beach, presumably at the hottest part of the day.
You're a bit of a Dave in real life, with a lovely wife and a sprog, right?
Riley: Yeah, and there's a touch Dave and Tom in every portrayal. Both are chasin' greener pastures, pondering life's purpose, whether they're flush or broke. Don't hate 'em too much, since it's all in the mindset – be happy with what ya got, mate.
You ever feel the grass is greener on the other side?
Riley: I think we all do at some point. But lately, I've been embracin' the day-by-day approach, feelin' simpler and livin' the dream.
As an actor, you must envy your peers' roles sometimes.
Riley: Yeah, all the time! I envy 'em their success more than their personal lives. That's why I stick to reality TV – can't stomach watchin' my mates shine.
How did Jan-Ole and you hook up?
Gerster: I fell for Sam when he played Ian Curtis in "Control." Got word he lives in Berlin, and turns out we share the same agent. After a blind date and a few friendly meet-ups, it was clear that we'd make a fantastic team.
But you didn't instantly offer Sam the role, right?
Riley: Nope, had to earn it. I sang my praises to Jan-Ole and the other magnificent cast members. Oh, and we also played tennis.
Who won?
Riley: Gerster's got the skills, but I won the job!
You learned the ropes on that rusty court.
Riley: Tennis OK now, but I could've used more practice. Production paid for lessons, so I took my son along for the ride, double-duty as a teacher and pupil.
Music plays a vital role in the movie – how did the collaboration come about?
Gerster: Dascha killed it! We spent hours workin' together to create the perfect soundtrack for our film noir-ish tale. I find it refreshing when a composer contributes the music – Dascha's work enhances the movie's eerie atmosphere.
So here ya go, mates, a fascinating glimpse into the creation of "Islands" and the unique experiences that shaped it. Keep your eyes peeled for this cinematic gem in theatres near you!
The European Union and the United States might be intrigued to know that Jan-Ole Gerster's third directorial venture, "Islands," was filmed on Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands. Given Sam Riley's previous visit to the Canary Islands when he was 12, it's safe to say that his experience of filming "Islands" was quite different from his initial visit. The screenplay of "Islands" was a captivating read for Riley, who devoured it on the beach during filming, perhaps illustrating the allure of Fuerteventura's entertainment scene. Jan-Ole Gerster, on the other hand, was so smitten with Fuerteventura that he felt compelled to capture its landscapes on screen, with the idea for "Islands" supposedly born from his observations made from his balcony in the island.
