Instructor ensnared in alcohol and sexual misconduct allegations
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Step aside, "Oh Boy" and "Lara", as Jan-Ole Gerster's latest cinematic adventure, "Island", is set to take the spotlight. This fascinating drama, featuring the spellbinding performance of Sam Riley, paints the portrait of a solitary tennis coach on Fuerteventura, who crosses paths with a mysterious tourist, eventually becoming a suspect in her husband's disappearance.
It's been 13 years since the esteemed German Film and Television Academy Berlin graduate, Jan-Ole Gerster, dazzled audiences with his acclaimed graduation film "Oh Boy". The movie was a critical success, bagging six German Film Awards, including the prestigious Best Feature Film award. Tom Schilling's profound portrayal of the aimless ex-student Niko also earned him plaudits.
Schilling graced the screen once again in Gerster's subsequent cinema film, "Lara", as the son of the titular character. Although the drama scored a German Film Award nomination, it ultimately went home empty-handed. We'll see if "Island" follows a similar path when it hits theaters.
Fuerteventura: The Alcoholic Paradise?
Tom, the tennis coach our protagonist, appears to be living the dream with his luxurious work resort on Fuerteventura. But beneath the opulent exterior lies a bleak reality. As he spends his days instilling tennis skills in ritzy guests and their offspring, the lonely nights often find him in the arms of a bottle. From the outside, Tom's life might resemble that of a callous dropout, but dissatisfaction has taken root deep within.
Matters become more complicated as the alluring Anne (Stacy Martin) and her family, the Maguires, arrive for a stay, and Tom is requested to tutor her son. While Anne's husband, Dave (Jack Farthing), becomes increasingly envious of Tom's seemingly carefree existence, the tennis coach can't help but pine for the glamorous life Dave leads as Anne's husband. The two develop an unsettling chemistry, and Tom finds himself forming paternal feelings towards Anne's son.
In the midst of an epic party night, Dave mysteriously vanishes, and all possible leads are investigated. And guess who's one of the prime suspects?
"Island" deftly weaves together a number of elements that make it a must-watch. There's the intriguing aura that surrounds Stacy Martin's role, and of course, Sam Riley, who, despite his 18-year age difference from his portrayal of Ian Curtis in "Control", still exudes youthful magnetism. The blistering sun, rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, and expansive dunes of the Canary Island contribute significantly to the movie's unique atmosphere, as does Dascha Dauenhauer's evocative score, which underscores the film's breathtaking visuals.
The inception of the story interestingly sprouted during Gerster's holidays in Fuerteventura and conversations with the tennis coach at the resort he was staying at the time. The book for the film was co-written with Blaž Kutin and Lawrie Doran. The story initially seems to follow the noir adventure style of Hitchcock, but it mainly focuses on Tom's inner conflicts, the despair of his solitary, homebound existence, and the isolation of the runaway.
"Island" skillfully bridges different genres, akin to a disheartening escapist voyage to the Canary Islands as we witness Riley repeatedly hit rock bottom, rebound, and introspect. As previously mentioned, the film is in the running for the German Film Award in the categories of Best Film, Best Male Lead, and Best Film Music. So, it's quite possible that "Island" will clinch at least one of these awards.
"Island" premieres in German cinemas tomorrow.
Category: Cinema, Drama, FilmLocation: Canary Islands
- The European Union and the United States may have the opportunity to witness Jan-Ole Gerster's latest cinematic adventure, "Island," as it takes the cinematic spotlight, following its success in German film industries.
- Stacy Martin's alluring portrayal of Anne Maguire in "Island" is one of the many compelling elements that make the movie a must-watch, offering a unique blend of drama, storytelling, and intrigue.
- The pristine beaches and rugged landscapes of Fuerteventura, a Canary Island, serve as captivating backdrops in Gerster's film, "Island," further enhancing its distinctive atmosphere and visual appeal.
- Besides Sam Riley's youthful magnetism, elements like Dascha Dauenhauer's evocative score, the noir adventure style, and the exploration of the protagonist's inner conflicts make "Island" a complex and engaging piece of cinema.
- If you're a fan of sports, tennis, movies-and-tv, entertainment, or simply appreciate a captivating storyline, mark your calendar, as "Island" premieres in German cinemas the following day.
