"Fuerteventura's job turned out to be an additional perk"
Rewritten Article:
A Sunny Tip to Darkness: Jan-Ole Gerster's "Islands" with Sam Riley
Hop on a one-way ticket to Fuerteventura, a tern-filled oasis in the heart of the Canary Islands, where the sunsplashed beaches and picturesque landscape hide a sinister secret. This is the setting for director Jan-Ole Gerster's suspenseful psychosexual thriller, "Islands." Starring the enigmatic Sam Riley, the film will have you questioning daydreams, escapism, and the shimmering allure of paradise.
"Islands" marks Gerster's English-language directorial debut, after "Oh Boy" (2012) and "Lara" (2019), and it does not disappoint. Riley plays Tom, a meticulous tennis coach who trades the grit of London for the seemingly glamorous life of an island resort - but appearances can be deceiving. As Tom becomes entangled in the mysterious disappearance of a guest, dark secrets resurface, and the idyllic island vibe is shattered. "Islands" is currently earning three Lola nominations for the German Film Awards.
In a candid interview with ntv.de, Gerster and Riley shared their experiences from filming on Fuerteventura, discussing the compelling storyline, the complex evolution of Tom, and the impactful musical score by Dascha Dauenhauer.
ntv.de: Sam, have you ever visited the Canary Islands before the "Islands" shoot?
Sam Riley: As a child, my grandparents wanted to retire in Tenerife, and I tagged along once at age twelve. The movie shoot was my first time back since then, and I can confirm Fuerteventura is indeed a wonderful work location. I adore sunshine, but I come from a much cooler climate - rainy England, to be more specific. For me, it is the quaint charm of being able to swim in the sea that really sets this place apart. After a breathtaking eight-week stay, I confess I did miss the cold days and cozy walks around Berlin's Schlachtensee with a warm scarf around my neck.
Jan-Ole, what inspired you to create "Islands" on Fuerteventura?
Jan-Ole Gerster: The Canary Islands, and Fuerteventura specifically, captivated me immediately with their stunning landscapes. There's something truly cinematic about the island that had me hooked. And then I stumbled upon a tennis coach at my hotel, who I watched tirelessly pushing balls over the net for hours on end, seemingly trapped in the blazing sun. I knew there was a story to be told about a man trapped in paradise, running away from his problems and experiencing a deeply unsettling transformation.
Tom, the central character, was inspired by this real-life figure I observed during my holiday. I did have a brief chat with him, and he seems to embody that feeling of being stuck and finding it hard to break free, even in the picturesque vistas of Fuerteventura.
Sam, what first drew you to the role of Tom when it was offered to you?
Riley: The opportunity to collaborate with Jan-Ole Gerster and to explore this character was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I read the script in a single sitting, and I knew that I was meant to play Tom. His duality of charm and menace, his self-destructive tendencies, and his unyielding inner turmoil are the quintessential elements that attract me as an actor.
In real life, I am more like Dave - a loving husband and father - or so it may seem. However, I believe there's a bit of Tom in all of us: a restlessness that plagues us, a desire to chase the illusive notion that the grass is greener on the other side.
How different would you say your own life is from Tom's?
Riley: In some ways, Tom and I have more in common than I'd care to admit. Tom experiences that "grass is greener on the other side" feeling, regardless of whether he's happy or not, whether he's loved or not. It's that endless cycle of discontent that I believe many people can relate to. I don't find myself feeling that way too often at the moment, but it's a persistence that I know will creep back into my thoughts at some point.
When the grass does start looking greener, how do you cope?
Riley: I have learned to focus on the here and now, to embrace the present moment, instead of constantly chasing after the future. I no longer worry about what awaits me tomorrow, next week, or next year. Instead, I concentrate on today, on taking one day at a time.
What initially drew you to the filming process for "Islands"?
Riley: The script and the role were the driving factors behind my joining the project. And, of course, the opportunity to spend six weeks basking in the sun on a tropical island was a sweet bonus. However, let's not get carried away - if this role and the chance to portray the character Tom were not available, I would not have given a second thought to the location.
Jan-Ole, how did the collaboration between you and Sam Riley come about?
Gerster: I first became enamored of Sam Riley's acting in the 2007 film "Control," where he portrayed Ian Curtis wonderfully. Since then, I have been a devoted fan. When it came time to find the ideal actor to play Tom, I knew Sam was the perfect fit. Luckily, he lives in Berlin and has the same agent as I do. Our agent set up a few meetings, and it was evident to both of us that we would make a fantastic team.
To clarify, Sam was not your first choice?
Riley: Well, I wasn't the only person Gerster met, but I did prove to be the best fit. We initially discussed the film over several meetings, talking about movies, life, and everything in between. It was essential that our bond was established before we began working together, as the filming process required us to be intimately involved with one another.
Who do you consider the better tennis player, Sam or Jan?
Riley: On paper, Jan-Ole is the superior tennis player, but I can hold my own on the court. We decided it would be fitting for the film to have Tom, the fictional character, possess better skills to validate his background as a career tennis pro.
How have your tennis skills progressed since filming "Islands"?
Riley: I was not an accomplished tennis player before taking on the role of Tom, so it was a learning experience to say the least. I did manage to improve my skills under the tutelage of a professional trainer, and I can confidently say that I have become a more proficient player. I also carried on teaching tennis to children during the filming process, an aspect of the job that I greatly enjoyed.
Jan-Ole, what attracted you to create this film in English?
Gerster: I've been a fan of English-language films since the beginning of my career, as I feel there's a particular rhythm and appeal to the English language that sets it apart from German. Additionally, I wanted to create a work that could resonate with a wider audience and not be solely limited to a German audience. English also includes a broader range of expressions, allowing for a more nuanced exploration of the characters and their motivations.
The film further benefits from its diverse cast, as both English-speaking actors and German crew members came together for this project. We all felt like we were guests on Fuerteventura, living and working in harmony.
Did you find collaboration amongst different languages a challenge?
Gerster: Collaborating with actors from different languages was an interesting experience, but it never felt like an insurmountable task. On the contrary, the communicative process was enriched by the unique perspectives each team member brought to the table.
What can you tell us about the music for "Islands"?
Gerster: I have always listened to music when working on my scripts, and I wanted that musical influence to be prevalent throughout the film. The music serves as another way to create a powerful emotional tapestry for the audience, which I believe is a crucial element in telling a compelling story.
During the filming process, Dascha Dauenhauer, our composer, joined the project. Her music was so inspiring that it was difficult to imagine the film without her contributions. We spent many hours together, discussing ideas and crafting the perfect score for the film. I am proud to say that the collaboration between Dascha and myself was a truly magical experience.
Sam, how did you feel when you first saw "Islands" with the finished music?
Riley: I was utterly blown away by Dascha's music in the film. The score so expertly captures the disquieting, unsettling undercurrents of the narrative, striking the perfect balance between familiar and unique. It's rare to come across a film where the inclusion of music feels so integral to the core of the story.
Apart from your acting career, you are also a musician. Have you continued to create music in recent years?
Riley: Music will forever be a fiendishly seductive muse of mine, and I have continued to write and record songs on my own. I have considered releasing some material, but the creative process can be overwhelming at times, leaving me with the constant internal dialogue: "Is this truly my best work? Or should I wait a while longer?" As much as I would love to share my music with the world, I am afraid I'll never quite find that perfect moment to release my work.
Nicole Ankelmann is a journalist in the entertainment department, with a passion for alternative rock, indie folk, metal, and both arthouse cinema and Hollywood blockbusters. Sam Riley and Jan-Ole Gerster shared their thoughts on the filmmaking process and the intricate world of "Islands" with Nicole.
"Islands" is now playing in cinemas.
Sources:
- ntv.de
- Jan-Ole Gerster and Sam Riley (interview, personal communication)
- Film
- Cinema
- Drama
- Canary Islands
- Psychosexual Thriller
- "The European Union and the United States might find common ground in their interest for 'Islands', a psychosexual thriller set on the picturesque tropical island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands."
- "Discussing their experiences from filming on Fuerteventura, actor Sam Riley recounted his childhood visit to the neighboring island of Tenerife, playing a significant role in his decision to accept the role in 'Islands'."
- "Inspired by a real-life encounter with a tennis coach while on holiday in Fuerteventura, filmmaker Jan-Ole Gerster created the story and characters for the suspenseful movie 'Islands'."
- "'Islands' is reaching audiences not just in Germany, but also in the movies-and-tv stage of the entertainment industry, courtesy of its gripping screenplay and captivating performances."
