Crowdfunding

For a long time, Medusa has been a symbol for SA survivors and feminine rage. A lot of women understand her pain, and yet she’s far too often still seen as a monster. Her story still gets told from a male perspective. A priestess so beautiful she seduced a god, a monster so horrible that killing her was justified. But that’s not the story we’re telling.

Before she was cursed, Medusa was a priestess of Athena. She was devoted to her, and in our version, eagerly training to become Athena’s next champion, one of the great heroes. But through some cruel twist of fate, she catches the eye of a different, dangerous god.

Why this story, and why us.

'Medusa' is for both the writer (Merel Muller) and the director (Skyler Muller) a very personal story. Merel has been chronically ill for a long time, and been through a lot because of it. Not only did she have to battle her illness, but she had to fight with doctors as well. To be heard, to get the care she needs. Her illness was quickly seen as something that was just in her head, even when tests showed something else. At some point it got so bad, doctors almost let her die while she was hospitalised.

We've incorporated her trauma and her feeling unheard into the story.

But chronic illness has another side: chronic loss. When someone is chronically ill, both that person themselves, and their surroundings have to let go of their vision for the future. Her dreams suddenly became impossible. Because of her limited energy, she couldn't going to college anymore, and eventually, not even get a job. Chronic loss is a strange kind of mourning, where the person who you're mourning because, is still alive, and yet the grief is never-ending.

Merel will never get the life she's always planned on having. And Skyler will never get her sister back the way she used to be, but will have to live with the knowledge that eventually, she will lose her sister forever.

Chronic loss plays an important part in our retelling of Medusa. The life she knew has been taken from her, and even her own body doesn't feel safe anymore. No man can ever look at her again without turning to stone. The story of Medusa is a story about sexual assault, chronic loss and being unheard. It's a story about having to continue living and fighting back, finding your strength again, even if it seems impossible.

About the production

We're keeping costs minimal by making our own props and costumes using mostly thrifted materials. We're working with a passionate team, and a group of talented actors, who all understand the importance of the movie.

The first filming days are planned at the end of August in Germany, where we'll be filming in a Roman temple.

The rest of filming will be done in September and October, with possible additional days in spring 2027.

But even with minimising the costs, 20 days of filming still amounts to a lot of expenses. To be able to rent the locations, cover travel expenses, feed the cast & crew, and buy materials for props, we've started this crowdfunding campaign.

Our total production costs are approximately €10,000. We are gathering €7,000 via crowdfunding, and the director is investing €3,000 personally.

All cast and crew are working as volunteers. They will receive a contract with profit-sharing: if the film is successful, we will share the proceeds among everyone who worked on it.

Will you help us tell Medusa's story, and make this movie a reality?

Whether you donate €10, share this, or simply follow us: all forms of support make this film possible.

About the team

Medusa is a feature film by the sisters Merel (www.merelmuller.nl) and Skyler Muller (www.skylermuller.eu).

The Writer: Merel is a queer disability activist and feminist. She is an ambassador for the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, and is active with the Party for the Animals (Partij voor de Dieren). Justice is the connecting element in everything Merel does: whether it concerns equal rights, the right to self-determination, animal welfare, or the protection of our planet.

The Director & DoP: Skyler is an all-round creative with extensive experience in film. Having directed eight short films, she has developed a distinct style: fantasy and mythological stories with deep messages, exploring themes such as freedom and identity.

Follow @medusa.themovie on Instagram to stay up-to-date.