Music Box Films has landed the North American distribution rights to director Anita Rocha da Silveira’s Brazilian production Medusa, a “fantasy horror film” that stars Mari Oliveira as
Mariana, a 21-year-old trying to keep up appearances and resist temptation, particularly of a sexual nature. At night, she and her girlfriends team up, put on masks, and head out to hunt down and beat up women they judge as having deviated from the righteous path.
Music Box is planning a summer 2022 theatrical release for Medusa, with a home video release to follow. The company’s acquisitions head Brian Andreotti said the film’s
bold commentary on social and political trends in Brazil will resonate with U.S. audiences who can recognize the disturbing parallels in this country. Anita is an exciting filmmaker with a wholly original voice, and we are excited to bring her provocative and aesthetically striking film to a wider audience.”
Medusa was screened at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. While doing an interview around that time, Anita Rocha da Silveira was asked to describe the film in her own words. This is what she said:
Medusa is a horror-musical-comedy set in an alternate universe — but very close to reality — about a young woman who grows up in an ultra-conservative environment, where she is expected to keep control of every aspect of her life. And in order to keep control of herself, it is vital to control other women around her. After being slashed on her face, and feeling threatened with the loss of one of her main attributes in this society — her beauty — she will be able to distance herself from what is expected as standard behavior. After that, she will find her way to a special encounter. This experience, instead of turning her body into stone, will awaken new sensations and desires. And the desire to scream – and ultimately to confront the world with the rage that she has kept inside for many years – will be unbearable.”
This the writer/director’s second film, following the 2015 thriller Kill Me Please (Mate-Me Por Favor). Mari Oliveira was also in the cast of that movie.
I’m very interested in all things Brazil and spend a lot of time in that country, so I’m always glad to hear of Brazilian genre movies having success and getting international distribution. I will definitely be watching Medusa next year.