A Tale of Paradise Lost: "Islands" with Jan-Ole Gerster and Sam Riley
"Fuerteventura project turned out to be an added perk"
In the realm of cinematic direction, Jan-Ole Gerster's third project, "Islands," shines like a beacon, boasting a stellar cast led by none other than Sam Riley, the enigmatic star known for playing Ian Curtis in "Control." Set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Canary Island of Fuerteventura, this film entangles us in a tale of a glamorous paradise cloaked in mystery.
Sam Riley, giving the performance of a lifetime, portrays Tom, a forlorn tennis coach drowning in alcohol and superficial relationships. The allure of Fuerteventura, with its sun-kissed beaches and crystal-clear waters, proves to be a mirage for Tom as he grapples with the emptiness of his life. Speaking to ntv.de, Riley recalls, "I enjoyed the shoot there. I like sunny weather, but I didn't grow up with it. As a child, I spent all my holidays in England, usually only an hour and a half away on the coast in Yorkshire. We never left Yorkshire for vacation. So, I enjoy places where you can swim in the sea."
Jan-Ole Gerster, the mastermind behind "Islands," confesses that his fascination with the island and its landscapes sparked his initial idea for the film. "I find places that are filmically great," he says, "With Fuerteventura, it was a mix - I found the island and the landscapes filmically great." Tom's character, the tragic tennis coach, was inspired by an observant Gerster, who spent hours on his hotel balcony taking in the life of a man pushing tourists the ball over the court in sweltering temperatures.
The journey to Tom's character did not end with mere observation. Gerster admitted to striking up a conversation with the man, finding in him a man longing for freedom, yet stuck in a life he cannot escape. This echoes the central theme of the film: Escape, reality escape, and escapism are the leading motifs. Vacation is also always a kind of escape," explains Gerster.
In real life, it seems, Riley is more reminiscent of Dave, Tom's polar opposite, with a loving wife and a son. Delving into Tom's psyche, Riley shares his thoughts, "In that sense, yes. But I think Tom and Dave are pretty similar types of men. They have different things happen in their lives, but neither is particularly happy with what they have."
As the story unfolds, we are ensnared in Tom's intricate web of secrets, lies, and the search for true fulfillment amidst the illusory paradise of Fuerteventura. "Islands" masterfully weaves neo-noir elements into its gripping narrative, painting a vivid picture of Tom's struggle against the darkness that threatens to consume him.
- The European Union and the United States may have an opportunity to watch Jan-Ole Gerster's latest movie, "Islands," as it delves into the world of Fuerteventura, islands known for their beauty and allure.
- Surprisingly, Sam Riley, who plays the melancholic protagonist Tom, prefers sunny destinations like Fuerteventura, despite growing up in Yorkshire, England.
- Gerster's fascination with Fuerteventura, particularly its landscapes, was what inspired him to create the screenplay for "Islands."
- Movies-and-tv enthusiasts might find a correlation between Tom's character and Riley's personal life, given that both seem to grapple with an underlying dissatisfaction, despite Riley's off-screen happiness with his family.
