"Fuerteventura job proved an added advantage"
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Following "Oh Boy" (2012) and "Lara" (2019), director Jan-Ole Gerster presents his latest project, "Islands." Starring Sam Riley, the film centers around a solitary tennis instructor living a seemingly idyllic life on Fuerteventura, a Canary Island. However, the tranquility is interrupted when a hotel guest mysteriously vanishes under peculiar circumstances. Nominated for three Lolas at the German Film Awards, "Islands" explores the life of our protagonist through the lens of flight, escapism, and loneliness.
In an interview with ntv.de, Gerster and Riley discuss their experiences filming on Fuerteventura, the character's fate, and the profound impact of Dascha Dauenhauer's film score.
ntv.de: Sam, had you ever been to the Canary Islands before the "Islands" shoot?
Sam Riley: As a child, my grandparents wanted to retire on Tenerife, and I visited them once when I was 12. But Fuerteventura was a whole new experience. I loved the shoot, it was a fantastic work location. I'm not a fan of cold weather, so island life was a dream come true. I've always spent my holidays in England, usually near the coast, but never ventured far beyond. So, being able to swim in the sea was a wonderful change. But after eight weeks in the sun, I also started feeling what it was like for the character to work in that hotel.
Jan-Ole, you actually got the idea for "Islands" on Fuerteventura. Can you explain how that came about?
Jan-Ole Gerster: I've often found myself deeply moved by places, and Fuerteventura was no exception. The island and its landscapes were visually stunning. There's an older section of the island that I found fascinating, with outdated tourist areas, and I instantly envisioned a tennis coach living there. A man stuck in a trap he couldn't escape, longing for freedom from his mundane existence. The more I observed, the more I fell in love with the idea.
Did you ever speak with the real-life tennis instructor that inspired your character?
Gerster: I only had a brief conversation with him. What struck me as intriguing was his self-delusion. Here's a man who, despite constantly repeating mantra-like that he loved his life and wouldn't regret a single day, seemed quite lonely and neglected. His life on the island was a paradox, a tropical paradise where he was trapped in his misery.
Sam, what drew you to the role when the offer came in?
Riley: Filming on Fuerteventura was a big selling point for me. I also initially thought that six weeks on an island in the sun would be something I've never done before. But what truly mattered was the script, the story, and the character. I read the script in one sitting, and I knew immediately that I had to play this role. Any actor my age would want to play it. It's an incredibly complex character, full of contradictions and hidden depth.
Your real-life family situation is quite different from that of your character. Do you relate to him in any way?
Riley: In terms of happiness, Tom and I are both seeking something more. It's the classic case of the grass being greener on the other side. I can understand that mindset, regardless of whether you're financially well-off or struggling to make ends meet. It's a state of mind that affects many adults.
Have you ever felt like the grass was greener on the other side?
Riley: I've definitely experienced moments of doubt. I wonder if I'm on the right path, if I'm truly happy, or if there's something more out there. But for now, I try to approach life one day at a time.
As an actor, you must watch films and think, "I wish I'd played that role..."
Riley: Absolutely! I see amazing performances and think, "Oh, that'd be perfect for me!" But I've learned not to envy others' personal lives. I envy their careers, though. That's why I mostly watch reality TV, so I don't feel too jealous of my colleagues' successes.
How did you and Jan-Ole collaborate on this project?
Gerster: I've admired Sam's work ever since he played Ian Curtis in "Control." It was a remarkable performance for a first-time actor, and I've been a fan ever since. We share the same agent, so I reached out, and it turned out that we got along wonderfully.
But Jan didn't immediately offer you the role, right?
Riley: No, it took some time. We went through the three-day rule, meaning we met three times before casting was decided. The first meeting was focused on movies, the second on the film, and the third on tennis. As it turned out, Jan-Ole is a much better tennis player than I am!
Have your tennis skills improved since filming?
Riley: I've definitely become better, thanks to the lessons I had while preparing for the role. It was a welcome bonus. My son has started playing tennis, too, and I was able to teach him tactics from the film.
The film's musical score plays a significant role. How did Dascha Dauenhauer's work come about?
Gerster: I discovered Dascha's work while writing the script, and I was immediately captivated by her unique style. I wanted to push the boundaries and create something in English, with a mix of diverse musical influences. Using Spanish and German accents added to the film's atmosphere and cultural richness.
How did you and Dascha collaborate on the music for "Islands?"
Gerster: We worked closely together, discussing my vision for the film and finding the right music to convey the story's themes. It was a brilliant experience, and her music blew us all away. The finished product perfectly encapsulates the film's mood and rhythm.
Interview conducted by Nicole Ankelmann
- "Islands" is now playing in German cinemas.*
Genres:- Film- Drama- Music
Locations:- Fuerteventura- Canary Islands
Enrichment Data:- Fuerteventura has served as a picturesque backdrop for several films, thanks to its stunning landscapes, rich history, and unique culture.- The film "American Star" was partly filmed on Fuerteventura, showcasing the island's impressive natural beauty and heritage sites, such as the American Star shipwreck.[1][5]
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Star_(film)[2] https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/64202009525433902/[3][4] https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/nov/03/film.features17[5] https://www.canaryislands.com/fuerteventura-film-locations/91-american-star-the-mystery-of-the-blue-lagoon-film-shoot/[6] https://www.eterazul.com/The-Black-butterflies-English-language-film-will-be-shot-in-Fuerteventura/
- The European Union and the United States may not have any immediate connection to the movie "Islands," but the film's location, Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, has proven to be a popular backdrop for various movies and TV shows.
- Jan-Ole Gerster, the director of "Islands," initially envisioned the story while on Fuerteventura, finding the island's landscapes visually stunning and the idea of a solitary tennis coach living there intriguing.
- In an interview about the movie, British actor Sam Riley mentioned that he was drawn to the role because of the script, the story, and the character, as well as the prospect of filming on Fuerteventura, which he found to be a dream work location due to its warm climate and stunning beaches.
- Gerster and Riley collaborated on the project, with Gerster admiring Riley's work and reaching out to him, leading to their working relationship for "Islands." This collaboration resulted in a complex and contradictory character portrayed by Riley, reflecting themes of flight, escapism, and loneliness central to the film's screenplay.
