EXCLUSIVE: Film Constellation has boarded sales on Oscar Hudson’s Straight Circle, a dark comedy on the absurdities of conflict, and revealed a first image as principal photography wraps in South Africa.
The work follows two soldiers from opposing nations who are stationed at a shared barrack on a desolate border. As they grapple with their identities, loyalties, and the absurdity of their situation, their isolation slowly gives way to an unfathomable nightmare that will blur the line between friend and foe.
Straight Circle is the feature debut of London-born filmmaker Hudson whose short film Joy in People premiered at BFI London Film Festival and won the Audience Award at Rotterdam IFFR.
He has also won praise for his work directing music videos for Radiohead, Bonobo and James Blake, and for brands including Nike and Apple, and has been awarded a Primetime Emmy, Best Young Director at Cannes Lions and Best Director at the UKMVA’s.
In a sign of the belief in Hudson as a talent, the first feature brings together a high-profile roster of partners.
It is produced by Kevin Rowe for 2AM (Love Me, The Starling Girl, Omni Loop, The Front Room), Thomas Benski (The Witch, Midsommar, The Northman, Pig) for Magna Studios, Riaz Rizvi for Such (It’s What’s Inside) and Rik Green(James Blake ‘Big Hammer’, Radiohead ‘Lift’, Bonobo ‘No Reason’).
Financiers are BBC Film, Magna Studios, Such, Helekan Pictures and Prospect Avenue. Executive Producers on the film are Davud Karbassioun for Magna Studios, Eva Yates for BBC Film, William Rosenfeld and Robert Kapp for Such, and Oscar Hudson.
“We have been on an exhilarating journey with Oscar for many years now, producing his iconic music videos, award-winning commercials and original short films,” said Magna Studios’ Benski and Karbassioun.
“We are honored to be in Oscar’s corner backing him creatively and also for this to be the first project we both produce and finance along a set of great partners… Straight Circle is a mind-bending cinematic experience, masterfully combining action, comedy, and nail-biting drama. It’s a testament to Oscar’s immense talent, and we’re thrilled to bring it to audiences worldwide.
Film Constellation is handling international sales, with CAA, 2AM and Magna repping North America. CEO Fabien Westerhoff praised Straight Circle for its “masterful exploration of the absurdity of human conflict.”
“Oscar’s arresting visual language eloquently blends dark humor and profound introspection, making for both a chilling and deeply moving cinematic experience that will entertain audiences worldwide,” he said.
BBC Films Director Yates added: “We aim to support the most original voices emerging in British cinema and Oscar’s Straight Circle promises to be just that: one of the most unique and distinctive debut films of recent years. It’s been a pleasure working with this endlessly creative team to realise Oscar’s film.”
