Tom Hardiman on Buzzy Locarno Title ‘Medusa Deluxe’

Tom Hardiman turns into a director to trace with “Medusa Deluxe,” a deliciously darkish homicide thriller set within the aggressive hairdressing competitors which is about to bow at Locarno.

MUBI holds the rights to U.Ok./Eire, France,Latin America, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, India and Southeast Asia. The movie was developed and financed by the BFI and BBC Movie.

“I actually care about hairdressing, it’s one thing I’m actually captivated with,” admits Hardiman, who “picked up their language” over time.

“Once they discuss Russian weaves [in the film], that got here from a hairdresser in Peckham. A number of them say: ‘I’m a hairdresser first, counsellor second.’ It’s a novel territory, however there may be an appearing aspect to it too. They take heed to somebody’s issues after which bitch about them across the nook.”

Hardiman, who tells the story of a damaged neighborhood which finds its approach again via their shared ardour, labored with celeb hairstylist Eugene Souleiman on the movie’s elaborate hairdos.

“He helps you to peek backstage, which is why I approached him – so many hairstyles are proven mid-style within the movie,” he says, evaluating Souleiman’s work to “trendy sculpture.”

“There may be this cathartic second at one level, two individuals genuinely caring about one another, and you’ve got this coiffure with a ship on the highest. It’s totally ridiculous,” he notes.

“To care about nearly something, together with movie, is absurd and it’s humorous. I simply actually worth people who find themselves passionate to the purpose of obsession.”

Envisioning a character-led drama within the vein of Altman and Linklater, Hardiman determined to snoop on his solid in “locations of vulnerability,” in dingy rooms and darkish corridors – far-off from the glamour and glitz. By no means actually specializing in the precise investigation, despite the fact that the sudden tragedy continually looms over everybody’s hair-sprayed head.

“One thing occurs when you’ve got a policeman coming. It adjustments the environment. I desire individuals who simply fade into the background. Safety guards or, sure, hairdressers, who’re far more attention-grabbing than they provide themselves credit score for.”

Whereas he needed his function debut to really feel genuine and touching, it sizzles with humorous exchanges and mentions of “cheeky chignons.”

“My first brief movie was about carpets and my second about lazy eyes. I similar to comedy,” he laughs.

“Hair is culturally essential; it’s about the way you wish to current your self to the world. However there may be additionally the backroom gossip, the enjoyable aspect of it. Once I take a look at Altman or Loach, and even [Sean Baker’s] ‘Tangerine’ extra just lately, I truthfully imagine that of their darkest moments, individuals nonetheless crack a joke. Real realism wants humor.”

Shot by acclaimed cinematographer Robbie Ryan, nominated for an Academy Award for “The Favorite” and granted Camerimage’s prestigious Golden Frog for “C’mon C’mon,” “Medusa” may shock the viewers with the duo’s visible decisions.

“I used to babysit my nieces and so they have been blissful to observe a YouTuber strolling round their flat for a strong hour. I felt there was one thing there that felt distinctive,” says Hardiman.

“We needed this movie to really feel joyful, clearly, however we needed it to really feel now. There’s a purpose why we shot digitally. Robbie has a present – you actually ‘really feel’ an individual correctly via his photographs. Once I would take a look at him throughout the shoot, I might simply see him smiling. We each got down to do the identical factor: To convey love and delight into individuals’s lives.”

Presently engaged on a brand new movie about finance, diving into the world of economists and monetary lecturers, Hardiman will keep near his “obsessive” pursuits for now, he states.

“When you get drawn into one thing, that stage of ardour is admittedly attention-grabbing. It drives you to do loopy issues. Making an attempt to unravel why individuals are pushed to that time is the premise for storytelling.”