Tom Hardiman’s feature debut ‘Medusa Deluxe’ racks up sales

Tom Hardiman’s feature debut “Medusa Deluxe,”It premiered at Locarno Saturday and has since charmed many international distributors with its combination of humor, griefs, and competitive hairdressing.

Now Warsaw-based New Europe Film Sales has sealed further deals for the unusual murder mystery in Spain (Elastica Films), Benelux (Filmfreak), Scandinavia and the Baltics (NonStop Entertainment),VarietyExclusiveness is what he has learned.

As previously reported, A24 acquired North American rights for the film. It was produced by Emu Films and supported by BBC Films, Time Based Arts, and BFI.

MUBI has the rights to U.K./Ireland as well as France, Latin America and Germany, Austria. Switzerland. Italy. Turkey.

“The buyers are excited about ‘Medusa Deluxe’ because it’s a quirky, original piece of cinema which can appeal to younger audiences, especially since A24 and MUBI will lead the way on global marketing,”Jan Naszewski, CEO of New Europe Film Sales, said the statement.

Hardiman, who is a self-confessed expert in hairdressing, joined forces with Eugene Souleiman, a celebrity hairstylist, to show that there are people out there struggling with loss and still trying for perfection.

“There is this cathartic moment at one point, two people genuinely caring about each other, and you have this hairstyle with a boat on the top. It’s utterly ridiculous,”He told the storyVarietyearlier this week.

“To care about almost anything, including film, is absurd and it’s funny. I just really value people who are passionate to the point of obsession.”

Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Clare Perkins, Darrell D’Silva, Debris Stevenson, Harriet Webb, Heider Ali, Kae Alexander, Kayla Meikle, Lilit Lesser, Luke Pasqualino and Nicholas Karimi star in the ensemble drama.

Hardiman’s shorts include “Radical Hardcore”And “Pitch Black Panacea,” also opened up about working with Irish cinematographer Robbie Ryan and their visual choices during Locarno’s press conference. Ryan is well known for his love of photography. “The Favourite”Mike Mills “C’mon C’mon.”

“There are new opportunities for storytelling [now] and you can subvert classic genres. I like to be close to people. I like their personalities to come through and longer takes can really bring you into that world.”

His film is being called “a celebration,” Hardiman shared his excitement about its festival premiere and the first screening at Locarno’s famed Piazza Grande, one of the world’s biggest open air cinema venues.

“I have never had anything like it before. I am just happy,”He said.

“To show it to so many people in one go, it’s special. Especially for a film like ‘Medusa,’ because it’s a story that just invites the audience in.”