"Work on Fuerteventura was an additional perk"
Rewritten Article:
Gerster and Riley on "Islands" - A Spellbinding Trip to Fuerteventura
In a riveting discussion with ntv.de, director Jan-Ole Gerster and actor Sam Riley unveil the making of their latest masterpiece, "Islands." This psychological thriller, nominated for three prestigious Lolas, stars Sam Riley as a tennis coach leading a seemingly glamorous existence on Fuerteventura. As the plot evolved, he found himself mired in a bizarre sequence of events surrounding the mysterious disappearance of a hotel guest.
Sam, had you set foot on the Canary Islands before the "Islands" shoot?
Sam Riley: I briefly visited Tenerife when I was twelve, as my grandparents dreamt of spending their retirement there. Working on Fuerteventura was a refreshing bonus. I adore sunny places, but I wasn't raised with them. My childhood vacations were usually spent in Yorkshire, rarely venturing far from home. Yet, the allure of sunny destinations never ceased to draw me.
Jan-Ole, your love affair with Fuerteventura started long before the film. Could you share the story behind its inception?
Jan-Ole Gerster: I've always been strongly affected by landscapes, and Fuerteventura swept me off my feet. Its breathtaking vistas and the allure of its tourist world, slightly outdated yet enchanting, stirred my imagination. Within days of my arrival, I conceived the idea for "Islands" and rapidly fell for a lonely tennis coach I observed from my hotel balcony. His monotonous life juxtaposed against the paradisiacal setting piqued my curiosity.
Sam, what attracted you to the role when it was offered to you?
Riley: The opportunity to shoot for six weeks in the sun was undeniably enticing. However, the script, the captivating story, and the complex character ultimately sealed the deal. After reading it in a single sitting, I knew I needed to bring Tom to life.
In real life, you're more like Dave than Tom, right?
Riley: Well, I do have a loving wife and a son, but I see echoes of myself in both characters. They may have different lives and experiences, yet they're both grappling with feelings of unhappiness and questioning the meaning of it all.
Have you ever felt the 'grass is greener on the other side' syndrome?
Riley: I believe many adults ponder that question at some point, regardless of their circumstances. It's an inner struggle that's universally relatable.
As an actor, haven't you looked at other roles and thought, 'If only I could have done that?'
Riley: Oh, absolutely! I envy other actors' careers all the time. That's why I mostly watch reality TV now—good luck to my colleagues when they excel!
How did the collaboration between you two come about?
Gerster: I've admired Sam's work ever since his stunning performance as Ian Curtis in "Control." When I discovered he lived in Berlin and shared the same agent, our collaboration felt serendipitous. After several meetings, it was evident that we shared a deep artistic connection.
But Jan, you didn't make your decision right away, did you?
Riley: No, it took time for us to connect. Jan has a three-day rule, but our conversations weren't confined to three consecutive days. I met him several times, gradually building a rapport and discussing films. During our third meeting, I confessed my keen interest in the role, and we eventually teamed up for an intense game of tennis.
Really, who outplayed who on the court?
Riley: Jan is an exceptional tennis player, and I've hardly played before.
Since your tennis skills have improved, would you consider joining a competitive team?
Riley: My skills have improved thanks to the film's tennis coaching, but I'm more focused on nurturing my acting career at the moment.
Islands' trailblazes musical territory as well. How did the process unfold?
Gerster: I'm a music enthusiast and often compose the musical landscape of my films while writing. During filming, we carefully selected English dialogues to elevate the film's visceral feel. The film's style and mood inspired us to experiment with a diverse range of tunes, from retro 70s film noir melodies to evocative Almodóvar-esque compositions. Eventually, we enlisted Dascha Dauenhauer as our composer, who effortlessly surpassed our expectations, seamlessly tying together the film's various hues.
Music plays a crucial role in the lives of both Gerster and Riley, with the artist explaining how the musical layering brings emotional resonance and visual allure to the film's narrative. Catch "Islands" in theaters, an engaging exploration of human connection, loneliness, and the complexities of life on an idyllic yet enigmatic island paradise.
Source: ntv.de
- Film
- Cinema
- Thriller
- Canary Islands
- Music
- Sam Riley: I had visited Tenerife as a child, but working on Fuerteventura was a refreshing bonus, as I adore sunny places.
- Jan-Ole Gerster: Fuerteventura's breathtaking vistas and tourist world enchanted me, stirring my imagination for the film "Islands."
- Sam Riley: Apart from the sunny location, it was the captivating script and complex character that ultimately drew me to the role in "Islands."
- Sam Riley: Many adults ponder whether the 'grass is greener on the other side,' and it's an inner struggle that's universally relatable.
