Ana Belén Returns to Starring Role in New Film 'Islas'

A new Spanish film, 'Islas' (Islands), premieres this Friday, marking Ana Belén's return to a starring role on the big screen. Directed by Marina Seresesky, the movie explores feelings of disconnection and loneliness in modern society, according to reports from the EFE agency.

Ana Belén, a well-known actress, stars as Amparo, a performer whose career is fading. She meets Toni, a young man struggling with deep anxiety, played by Manu Vega, at a hotel in Tenerife. Both characters are on the brink of making extreme decisions when they form an unexpected bond, revealing their deepest vulnerabilities. This drama, which also includes touches of humor, was filmed over one month on the Canary Island.

Marina Seresesky, known for her sensitive portrayal of human relationships, set the film in a hotel in Tenerife. She describes this setting as evoking an "existence in suspense" and a feeling of isolation. The island itself, with its contrasting light and wide, empty landscapes, strengthens this idea of everyday loneliness. Seresesky believes this loneliness is made worse by our hyper-connected world, which can actually lead to more isolation and make it harder to build relationships. Through the film, she aims to show how two different people can still find each other and offer mutual support.

Both Ana Belén and Manu Vega have spoken about their strong connection to the script and the complexity of their characters, describing them as individuals carrying "significant burdens." They highlighted the great teamwork during filming, which Ana Belén called a "luxury," emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the process. Vega, for his part, appreciated the chance to play a character with "great evolution" and the experience of working with an actress of Ana Belén's standing, whom he considered essential to the film's "magnitude."

The film also touches on how fragile fame can be, a topic Ana Belén has observed in her own career. The actress reflects on the need to accept that success and public approval are not constant throughout an artistic life.

A unique aspect of Seresesky's work is the theme of migration, a recurring concern in her films and particularly relevant in the Canary Islands, a common entry point for migrants into Europe. The director shared that part of the story was inspired by observing a group of sub-Saharan migrants in a hotel on the islands. They had arrived by dinghy and faced a lack of understanding. This experience, for Seresesky, highlights the persistent "lack of empathy" towards others, an issue that deeply affects her as an immigrant herself.

Drawing inspiration from filmmakers like Roy Andersson and creating an atmosphere reminiscent of 'Waiting for Godot,' Seresesky aims to portray a fundamental sense of waiting that often feels unattainable, an emotion she hopes the audience will identify with.