Recommends

Inspired by Amy Liptrot's memoir, The Outrun sees Saoirse Ronan play Rona, a recovering alcoholic who journeys home from London to the remote Orkneys, where her father (Stephen Dillane) and mother (Saskia Reeves) still live. German director Nora Fingscheidt (System Crasher) talks about bringing a "nerd layer" to this potent, painful tale of recovery.

The Big Interview

What made you want to adapt Amy Liptrot's book?
It really moved me so much for many reasons. The brutal honesty about Amy's story, but also the place and her family story, and knowing that Saoirse would play the character made it very promising. Not everybody can pull it off, to have enough presence to hold the film. That is half the film, just on the remote island.

How did you set about adapting it?
When I read the book, and then I talked to Amy and Saoirse and everybody involved, I pitched them: if you want me to make the film, I really think we need to preserve not just Orkney and nature and London and the alcoholism... but we need to create some sort of nerd layer, because that's what I find really special about the story. We have a character who goes to the edge of the world in a tiny, remote little house, and then she starts chatting with astronauts. I mean, how absurd, in a way... what an image for solitude!

Was it a shock to the system to visit the Orkneys?
I mean, I've read the book so I was very curious. So, it was a shock in a very positive way. I was amazed by the roughness of the cliffs and friendliness of the people, and at the same time, somehow it feels familiar, in a way... I've shot a documentary in a remote community in Argentina, and I grew up in the German countryside, where you have a lot of farming communities, and there is something in common about small places. But then, of course, it has its very special, unique culture.

Was it tough to shoot there?
It was logistically challenging because, especially once we moved from Orkney mainland to this tiny, remote island, Papa Westray, we almost doubled the number of inhabitants of the islands. And there is a wonderful little hostel with, I think, 12 beds or something – we were over 30 people, so the locals took us in. We lived in their houses, in their backyards, guest houses,all of that. And we grew together, like a big family.

What did you learn about alcoholism?
What really struck me... what we are trying to convey with the film, is how difficult it is to be sober.

Did you cast those with alcohol issues in the film?
We have a lot of people in the film who have a real story with alcoholism. Or who are real people from real places. Also a lot of Orcadians. A lot of our Orcadian actors have never acted before because we thought, "It's a very complicated accent to reproduce." So that's why we started looking for locals. The Bible group, the young man she talks to on the street... are all real Orcadians, who are extremely open and helpful. I think it gives the film some real credibility.

What was it like working with Saoirse Ronan?
It was her first movie as a producer. She was so engaged from the very beginning and that was wonderful. It's a blessing to have, when an actress wants to immerse herself so much in the process and in finding the character and making all those decisions. I think the film massively benefited from the enthusiasm and the love that she brought to the project on screen and off.

Interview by James Mottram.

Pick up a copy of Picturehouse Recommends at a Picturehouse Cinema near you, or become a Member.

The Outrun is in cinemas from 27 September — Book Now!