IT’S MUSIC TO A WRITER’S EARS
Alex Garland is best known for his 1996 book The Beach.
Its depictions of a young backpacker’s hedonistic, drug-fuelled experiences on a lonely beach in Thailand were at the time a revelation, but getting wasted on a Phuket beach has now become a standard part of many gap year itineraries.
Based largely on Garland’s own experiences, the book went on to be translated into 25 languages.
The film adaptation, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio, was directed by Danny Boyle.
The pair formed a successful partnership, with Garland writing the screenplay for Boyle’s 2002 film 28 Days Later and 2007’s Sunshine, both starring Cillian Murphy.
Other projects have included writing the script for Dredd, the film about 2000 AD comics’ character Judge Dredd, and 2015’s Ex Machina, which Garland wrote and directed.
He is currently working on a sci-fi film called Annihilation, due out next year and starring Natalie Portman.
Before Hollywood beckoned, Garland resided in a former piano factory in Primrose Hill, London near Regent’s Park. He lived in the fivebedroom corner portion of the old factory, which is an open-plan home with a workspace and roof terrace.
It was offered to rent at £21,450 a month but after failing to find tenants with deep pockets, was taken off the market and is now being offered by its owners through informal channels.