Red Blazer Productions, in association with Executive Producer Lucas A. Ferrara, is delighted to share the news that Comedy Drama Makeup will be available to own and rent on digital download in the UK from June 26th. It will also be released worldwide from June 27th.

Written and produced by Hugo André & Will Masheter, alongside Lucas A. Ferrara, Makeup is a multi-award-winning comedy drama.

When two people are brought together from completely different walks of life, it can make for awkward circumstances, especially when they both have their secrets. Sacha (André), an introverted French ex-chef, moves to London to begin his new life as a food critic. Moving into a rented room in a house belonging to Dan (Masheter), a well-respected London stockbroker, the pair are forced into an unlikely friendship. As time goes on and events unfold, Dan attempts to hide his aspirations of becoming a burlesque dancer from the people who perceive him as an alpha male. Despite their differences, can Sacha and Dan become pillars of support in each other’s lives?

The film has received numerous accolades including:  “Directorial Debut by a Young Film Maker” at London International Film Festival (2021), Winner of “Best Film” at Paris International Film Awards (2021). Makeup has also won “Best Young Director” at Lonely Wolf Film Festival (2021), as well as being a finalist for “Best British Film”, “Best Queer Film”,  “Best Actor” (Hugo Andre) at Lonely Wolf Film Festival (2021). In total, the film has won 15 awards, received 5 nominations and 2 honourable mentions. 

Working in the film industry since the age of 16, Hugo has worked various roles in over 50 productions. Hugo wrote and directed his first short film at the age of 18, a film that has since amassed over 20 awards and nominations. 4 years ago, he wrote ‘MAKEUP’, which he later directed in between nationwide lockdowns, as a result of the covid pandemic.

Well versed in the formation of character driven films, Hugo approached this film with the same tenderness and attention to detail as his prior narratives. Hugo follows a running theme with his scripts – he is drawn to the trials and tribulations of friendship and the impact that certain relationships can have on not only your personality but also on your mental health.

YASS interviewed Hugo Andre who is the director, producer, protagonist and writer of Make-Up.

You are the director, producer, protagonist and writer of Make-Up. How easy or difficult was it to be involved with this movie in so many different ways?

It was definitely a struggle and looking back I wish I didn’t wear so many hats. Both Will Masheter and I found ourselves with various responsibilities on this production, partly because we were stubborn and partly because of budget constraints. 

How was it to star and direct yourself at the same time?

I was never too bothered about acting, but Sacha was inspired by my Dad, so it only made sense that I embodied that character. I would have loved to focus more on the directing, but at the same time I’m proud that with such a limited team we managed to pull off a quirky little film with an important message.

How did you come up with the idea of the story behind the movie? Is it based on your personal story?

I wanted to incorporate some real-life characters into the story. Dan’s character was inspired by somebody that I knew personally and their experiences with transitioning. Sacha’s character was loosely inspired by my dad and the decision he took to pack his bags and move to London from France when he was around my age. I then did something quite odd, and fused my dad’s career as a chef and mine as a writer into one character, which meant that Sacha would leave his job as a head chef to become a food critic / writer. Although I’m not a food critic, I’m a massive foodie and I’ve been working as a writer for a few years now- so the harmony of fussing it all together made sense (at least in my head). After figuring out surface level information about the two leads, the script then developed naturally as myself and Co-Writer, Will Masheter, began exploring the subtle quirks and details of each character. The reason this felt so natural is because Will and I have been close friends for a number of years now, and therefore we could channel our own friendship and experiences into the script.

MAKEUP was the winner of “Best Film” at Paris International Film Awards (2021), “Best Young Director”, and being a finalist for “Best British Film”, “Best Queer Film”, “Best Actor” (Hugo André) at Lonely Wolf Film Festival (2021). In total, the film has won 15 awards, received 5 nominations and 2 honourable mentions. How do you feel with this incredible appreciation and did you expect this success?

To be honest, this film started as a fun little idea for an indie film. Every step of the way we have been surprised and frankly blown away by the response it has received. We never imagined that 4 years after coming up with the initial idea that it would be having an international release with numerous nominations and awards behind it.

What has the reaction of the audience been?

Although there will always be a mixture of opinions and controversy (especially around this topic), the majority of people have really connected with it and it’s core message of acceptance.

You have been working in the film industry since the age of 16 and you have worked various roles in over 50 productions. What have been the most significant moments during your career?

The first time I was ever hired to direct a campaign video for a drinks company has to be up there. I was 16 at the time and had more confidence than I did experience. Somehow that confidence landed me the gig of a lifetime. I travelled through the Alps over a 4/5 day period having the time of my life and getting paid for it. Everything since then has been a bonus and every job I get to do or film I get to make I am grateful for.

What is the message of the film and how did you personally approach it? 

The message is acceptance. We want to spread a message of positivity- a message that communicates love over all else. It doesn’t take much to be kind, show compassion or to accept people for who they are. We spent a fair amount of time discussing what kind of tone we wanted the film to have, and although we could have taken a darker route, focusing more on the drama and the hate, we decided that we wanted to make something that would have people smiling by the end, instead of hating the world and the people in it. 

What are your future plans?

I am currently in development for a Feature Film with Lucas A. Ferrara by my side (again). The working title for the film is Future Sins and it is a hard-hitting psychological thriller which focuses on mental health in the correctional system, set in a dystopian future. We also have a handful of big names that we are in talks with to play leads in the film. But for now, we can’t say much more, only that it’s going to be an exciting project to follow. 

Makeup is coming to digital download in the UK from June 26 and worlwide from June 27.