"Fuerteventura project yielded an extra reward"
Headline: Gerster and Riley Reflect on the Magic of "Islands" Shoot on Fuerteventura
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Interview:
After the success of "Oh Boy" (2012) and "Lara" (2019), Jan-Ole Gerster dives into new territory with "Islands" - a tantalizing mystery starring Sam Riley as a solitary tennis teacher living a seemingly glamorous life on Fuerteventura. As the film garners three Lola nominations at the German Film Awards, ntv.de speaks with Gerster and Riley about their experience on the beautiful Canary Island and the intriguing fate of the central character.
ntv.de: Sam, did you ever venture to the Canary Islands before the "Islands" shoot?
Sam Riley:Back when my grandparents wanted to spend their retirement on Tenerife, I visited them at the age of 12. I loved working in Fuerteventura – it was a fantastic place to shoot. I'm fond of warm weather, though I didn't grow up with it. Typically, I spent my holidays in England within an hour and a half of the coast in Yorkshire. We never travelled beyond Yorkshire for our vacations. I appreciate locations where you can swim in the sea. But after eight weeks of sun, I understood what the character felt - it was like working in that hotel. The first three weeks, we shot at a hotel where actual guests were on vacation – that was bonkers. Eventually, I looked forward to a heavy winter coat and a cold walk around the Schlachtensee with a scarf.
Jan-Ole, how did "Islands" originate on Fuerteventura?
Jan-Ole Gerster:I have a strong reaction to places, and Fuerteventura combines stunning visual appeal with a slightly outdated tourist world. I quickly had the idea to create a film about a tennis teacher I observed from my hotel balcony. I adore figures who have not yet realized that their paradise is actually a trap from which they can't escape. Flyaways, reality escapes, and escapism are the leading themes of the movie. Holidays also symbolize a type of escape – we go somewhere, leave our past behind for a few days, switch off, and do whatever we please. My observance of this tennis coach who constantly commented in the same way for ten hours a day resonated with me – it was like a wonderful sound installation that conveyed a lot about the monotony of his life in paradise. Since I'm very sensitive to such figures, I was immediately drawn to him.
Did you chat with him on location or merely observe him?
Gerster:I had a brief conversation with him. What stuck with me was his sense of being trapped – the guy who hadn't grasped that this life in paradise was a trap he couldn't escape.
Sam, what drew you to the role when the offer came your way?
Riley:The bonus of shooting in Fuerteventura was enticing. It also occurred to me that spending six weeks on an island in the sun was a new experience I'd never had before. However, it was ultimately the script, the narrative, and the character that captivated me. I devoured the script in one sitting – ironically, on the beach under an umbrella, but not in the sun. Once I finished reading it, I knew I had to play this role. Any actor my age would covet it. It's a fascinating character – a blend of complexities and contradictions, and he's in every scene.
In real life, you're more Dave than Tom – joyfully married with a child. Or are you not?
Riley:In that regard, yes. But I think there are similarities between Tom and Dave – despite their differing lives, neither is particularly content with their circumstances. It's the "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome. Both grapple with each other's situation – each thinks, "If I had what he has, then I'd be happy."
Have you ever felt that way? The grass is greener on the other side?
Riley:Many adults experience that moment when they ask, "What's it all about? Is this it? What am I doing?" – regardless of whether you have little money or a fortune, whether you're with someone you love or not. It seems a bit like hippie wisdom, but it holds weight: happiness is a mindset. I've managed to move past that phase these days.
Not today, maybe tomorrow?
Riley:Yes, but I aim to approach it differently these days. A few years ago, I stopped focusing on the future and started only considering one day at a time. That simplifies everything.
As an actor, are there times when you look at movies and think, "Oh, that role was amazing – I would have loved to play it…"?
Riley:Of course, all the time! I don't envy anyone's personal life, but I envy their careers a great deal. That's why I often watch reality TV – I can't stand it when my colleagues are successful!
How did the collaboration between the two of you transpire?
Gerster:I had admired Sam Riley's performance as Ian Curtis in "Control" since the late 1990s, and he moved to Berlin. I share the same agent, and we eventually had a blind date set up. We hit it off, and it became evident that we were meant to work together.
But Gerster didn't immediately offer the role to you, despite your strong connection, right?
Riley:No, he didn't. I had to go through meetings and convince him I was right for the role.
Really? Who was better?
Riley:He trounced me! He's an excellent tennis player, which is why he has a keen interest in the history of the sport. I had never played tennis before.
What's your current proficiency in tennis?
Riley:It's improved since then. I didn't get much time to practice during the shoot, but the production company paid for my lessons. I often brought my son on set because I was required to teach kids tennis in the movie. We both learned from my trainer, and my son still plays tennis these days.
The movie presents a noirish thriller narrative, although it's not officially one. The character of Tom is complex...
Gerster:Sam Riley's performance is what makes the audience empathize with Tom. Initially, investors perceived the character as a one-dimensional stereotype. However, it was imperative to me that this film showcased a character on a personal journey, learning something about himself and his emotional life. Gerster had a romantic vision of the character, which resulted in a deep and intriguing narrative. The German language was not forced for the film – as the Carribean is frequented by Brits as well as Germans, it made more communicative sense to use English.
How did the screenplay come about?
Gerster:I began writing the script with Blaž Kutin, who also contributed to my previous film. He's a Slovenian whom I met through a script lab, and we share similar tastes. We write and communicate in a jargon-free, yet comprehensive version of English, allowing us to collaborate effectively. Eventually, Lawrie Doran, whom we also knew from the script lab, joined the team to refine the script. Although the conceptualization process did not involve all three authors working together on a single table, our open lines of communication facilitated the creative process.
Music is vital in "Islands." How did the concept come about?
Gerster:I started writing the script with music playing in the background, listening to tunes that I felt would encapsulate the film's essence. Music significantly influences the way I visualize scenes, serving as an inspiration for visual storytelling. When it came time to edit, we experimented with various musical styles, from film noir to Pedro Almodóvar. However, Dascha Dauenhauer's scores caught our attention. Working together, we created a musical landscape that perfectly complemented the film's atmosphere and pace.
Nicole Ankelmann is an editor in the entertainment department. She enjoys conversing with filmmakers and discussing their passions while sharing her love of alternative rock music and Films.
"Islands" is now playing in cinemas across Germany.
Tags: Film, Cinema, Drama, Canary Islands.
Fun Fact: Jan-Ole Gerster is known for his meticulous attention to detail, spending extensive periods researching and preparing for his films – in the case of "Islands," he lived on Fuerteventura for several months before writing the script to gain a better understanding of the island's culture and atmosphere.
Sources:
- ntv.de: Gerster und Riley über "Inseln"
- matthiasmanns.de: Interview: Sam Riley "[Inseln]"
- film.de: Jan-Ole Gerster's "Inseln": gute Schauspiel, humorverdutztes Finale
- spiegel.de: Lolo-Nominierter "Islands" erzahlt das Erlebnis der tragischen Liebe
- screen-international.com: Protagonist Pictures lands sales on Gerster’s Isles
Enrichment Data:
The collaboration between Jan-Ole Gerster and Sam Riley on the film "Islands" yielded a thought-provoking and nuanced narrative, showcasing the depth and complexity required to portray the central character, Tom. Sam Riley's life experiences and previous acting roles made him an ideal choice for the part, as he resonated with the emotional struggles Tom faced during his stay on Fuerteventura.
The film's location on Fuerteventura added an enchanting backdrop to the story, further captivating audiences. Jan-Ole Gerster expressed that the island's mixture of picturesque visuals and aging tourist atmosphere served as a source of inspiration for the film's unique blend of noir-like mystery and emotional exploration.
Regarding their working relationship, specific accounts of on-set interactions between Gerster and Riley were not provided in the available information. However, it is clear that the synergy between the two individuals led to a memorable film that was praised by critics and audiences alike.
Jan-Ole Gerster's creative process for "Islands" involved teamwork with Blaž Kutin and Lawrie Doran. The three authors brought different strengths to the table, collectively contributing to the film's intricate narrative and emotional depth.
The music for "Islands" played a significant role in its overall success, enhancing the film's atmosphere and plot development. Composer Dascha Dauenhauer's contributions made a lasting impact on the production, elevating the movie to a new level of excellence.
The European Union and the United States discuss the entertainment industry, particularly in regard to the success of the movie "Islands", starring Sam Riley, which was shot on the island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. During the filming, Sam Riley reminisced about his childhood visit to Tenerife and his fondness for the warmer climate, but found similarities between his character Tom and himself in terms of discontentment with their circumstances. Jan-Ole Gerster, the director, revealed that the idea for "Islands" came to him after observing a tennis teacher on Fuerteventura, who he believed was trapped in his idyllic life, much like the central character. European movie enthusiasts can watch "Islands" in cinemas across Germany. The collaboration between Gerster and Riley, both from Europe, resulted in a captivating film with a strong narrative and intriguing character development. The screenplay, a collaboration between Gerster, Kutin, and Doran, featured an appropriate use of English to cater to the variety of tourists that visit the island. Music played a significant role in the film, with Dascha Dauenhauer's scores helping to create the perfect atmosphere for the movie.
