German filmmaker Jan-Ole Gerster’s latest movie, “Islands,” will make its world debut at the prestigious Berlinale film festival in the Special Gala section. The dramatic thriller, featuring Sam Riley, Stacy Martin, and Jack Farthing, has captured the attention of international film distributors.
Set in the sun-soaked Canary Islands, the film follows Tom (Riley), a former professional tennis player now working as a resort coach in Fuerteventura. His life of routine and casual encounters takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious family arrives at the resort.
The story centers on Tom’s encounter with Anne (Martin), her husband Dave (Farthing), and their seven-year-old son Anton. What begins as a typical resort interaction quickly transforms into a complex narrative when Dave suddenly disappears, leaving Tom potentially entangled in a potential murder investigation.
“It’s an extraordinary blend of intrigue and atmosphere,” said Dave Bishop, CEO of Protagonist Pictures, which has acquired worldwide sales rights for the film. Bishop praised Riley’s performance and Gerster’s direction, highlighting the movie’s exploration of “the darker edges of desire and mystery.”
This is Gerster’s third feature film, following his previous works “A Coffee in Berlin” (2012) and “Lara” (2019). The screenplay was co-written by Gerster, Blaz Kutin, and Lawrie Doran. Augenschein Filmproduktion developed the project, with Leonine Studios and Schiwago Film serving as co-producers.
Producer Maximilian Leo described the film as “an ingenious neo-noir that feels deeply human,” while praising the cast’s performances. His producing partner Jonas Katzenstein called Gerster one of Germany’s “most inspiring auteurs.”
Leonine Studios has secured distribution rights for the German market. International release dates are yet to be announced, but the film’s premiere at Berlinale promises to be a significant moment for Gerster and the production team.
