The movie “Sebastian,” a drama with queer themes directed by the new Finnish-British filmmaker Mikko Mäkelä, has caught the attention of Kino Lorber, who decided to distribute it in the U.S. This film, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival this year, is gaining interest from various countries.
“Sebastian” tells the story of Max (played by Ruaridh Mollica), a 25-year-old freelance writer and hopeful novelist living in London. By day, he’s climbing the ladder of success in the city’s cultural world. But at night, he leads a secret life as a sex worker, using the name Sebastian, to meet men through an escort service. Max uses his secret experiences to add depth to his writing, and it seems like he’s finally close to completing his much-awaited first novel. However, balancing his two worlds becomes increasingly difficult, making Max question if Sebastian is just a way to gather authentic material for his book or if there’s more to his nighttime persona.
Kino Lorber plans to release “Sebastian” in theaters, on home video, and on digital platforms across major services later in 2024.
The film has not only interested Kino Lorber but also found buyers in other countries, including Germany, France, Brazil, Spain, and Poland, thanks to LevelK’s efforts. Deals are still being made in other areas, and companies in Benelux and the Nordics have already agreed to show the film.
Wendy Lidell from Kino Lorber praised “Sebastian” for its thoughtful and bold exploration of topics like sex work, art, identity, and what’s genuine. She noted that although the movie openly portrays sexual scenes, these are shown with a purpose that goes beyond just being explicit, blending intellectual and artistic intentions.
Cyril Rota from Optimale Sarl in France sees the film’s lead, Ruaridh Mollica, as a rising star in the UK, comparing him to Tom Holland. Rota admired the film’s fresh perspective on the world of male escorting, a subject not often explored in cinema, especially from such a unique viewpoint.
We've picked up Mikko Mäkelä’s sensual, sophisticated debut SEBASTIAN, which had its world premiere at @sundancefest and tells the story of a young writer who mines his experience as a sex worker for creative inspiration. https://t.co/kQMlwvuH4Q
— Kino Lorber (@KinoLorber) February 27, 2024
The movie also features actors Hiftu Quasem, Jonathan Hyde, and Ingvar Sigurdsson. “Sebastian” is produced by James Watson and a team from various production companies, with Mike Goodridge and Lizzie Francke as executive producers.
This is Mikko Mäkelä’s second feature film, following A Moment in the Reeds, which was shown at over 80 festivals around the world. Mäkelä is recognized for his talent, having participated in Berlinale Talents and a Netflix-supported program for emerging filmmakers. Source
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