A film about Ibiza, written by a former holiday rep and produced by the boss of one of the UK’s leading trade-only tour operators, is to be released this autumn.
White Island will be shown in cinemas around the country on October 21 and the writer is hoping it “will do for Ibiza what Leonado Di Caprio’s The Beach did for Thailand’.
Speaking exclusively to Travel Weekly, ex-2wenties rep Colin Butt, said: “From day one, I have had the utter conviction that this film will smash it. Not because of my writing but down to Ibiza being captured so faithfully and authentically. It’s a low-budget movie, but I believe it will punch well above its weight.”
Butt said Ibiza was more than just a backdrop to the film, which he described as an edgy comedy thriller with lots of banter and one-liners.
“Ibiza is the main character and that’s why I think it will appeal to anyone who has a connection to the Island. Once people go, Ibiza tends to have a special place in people’s hearts. It has a curious magnetism. People land there and feel like they are coming home,” he said.
Dnata UK chief executive Andrew Botterill, who is the film’s executive producer, is one man who knows all about that pull.
Botterill first met Butt in 1988 when they were both repping in Ibiza. Butt wrote his first book, Harry on the Boat, which was all about holiday reps and which was later made into a film.
Twelve years ago, Butt wrote a second book, ‘A Bus Could Run You Over’, which is the basis of White Island.
Botterill told Travel Weekly: “I read the book in two days and went to Ibiza straight after to meet Colin. I knew immediately I wanted to be involved.”
Botterill was the first investor and helped open doors to others to get the film off the ground.
Other backers include DJ Carl Cox, Ocean Beach and Es Vive Hotels.
Butt said: “Everyone who has invested has an affinity with the island. Andrew was the first in and was pivotal in getting others to follow.”
The film, which has been made by Fullwell 73, the people behind James Corden’s smash hit Carpool Kareoke, features Darron Day as a villain, Billy Zane and musician/rapper Example amongst others, plus a cameo appearance from Botterill.
Corden tweeted last week: “This movie [White Island] is brilliant! You have to see it.”
Butt said: “The film is based loosely around my time in Ibiza in the nineties. But in the 12 years it’s taken to raise the money to make it, Ibiza has changed massively. In the nineties it was still very much focused on San Antonio and the package market but now it’s much more bespoke, focusing on the clubbing market to destination clubs like Ushuaia and Space, families, and people going back in their 40s and 50s. The film reflects that and should appeal to the same audience that Ibiza attracts.”
The film will be shown for one night only in cinemas around the UK, followed in some cities by after parties in local clubs. A premiere is also planned in Los Angeles in an attempt to appeal to the US market, but its ultimate success will depend on downloads and DVD purchases.
White island is released on October 21.
Win tickets to see the premiere of White Island