VENICE, Italy (AP) — Venice Film Festival Regular guest Luca Guadagnino was back at the Lido on Tuesday evening to present his new Daniel Craig film “Queer”.
Guadagnino, a festival favorite, had to forego a spectacular red carpet premiere to sexy tennis drama “Challengers” last year, when the studio postponed its release due to the actors’ strike. But the filmmaker is back with another highly anticipated project: adapting a William S. Burroughs novel about an American expat in Mexico City in 1950 who develops an obsession with a young male student.
Guadagnino, 53, read the book for the first time when he was 17, and it left a deep impression on him. He didn’t know who Burroughs was or what significance he had in his time, but he immersed himself in his world while simultaneously dreaming of creating his own worlds in films.
“It really transformed me and changed me forever,” Guadagnino said. “Because I want to be true to that young boy, I want to put that on screen.”
Guadagnino is a longtime fan of Craig, an actor he says isn’t afraid to be fragile on screen. He also said he never thought he’d get him in a movie. But Craig’s “yes” was immediate.
“If I wasn’t in this movie, I would love to be in it,” Craig said. “These are the kinds of movies I want to see, I want to make, I want to be a part of… they’re sophisticated but incredibly accessible.”
Hours before the premiere, Craig spoke to the Associated Press about the role, which included nude and sex scenes. His character, William Lee, spends his days drinking tequila in sweaty bars and his nights stalking men or taking heroin alone. It’s a raw and revealing portrayal, but Craig trusted his director’s vision.
“I think if it was wrong, (Luca) would say something, but if it was right, he would just say, well, go ahead. Let’s do it. Let’s go. We’ve got it,” Craig said. “It can be a little unsettling, but I think after a while you just say, ‘I’m in his hands.'”
Challengers screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes wrote the screenplay for Queer, adapting a novel written in the 1950s but not published until 1985. It’s a story that others have tried to adapt over the years, including Steve Buscemi and Oren Moverman. Kuritzkes also went beyond the slim text by adding a third act that isn’t there and weaving parts of Burroughs’ own biography into the main character.
This gave Craig the opportunity to draw inspiration from Burroughs himself.
“I always felt that Burroughs had a very public face, and I wanted to know what his private life was like,” said Craig, who spoke to several people who knew him. “I think you see more of that in ‘Queer’ than in his other books.”
To play the role of the young object of his desire, Eugene Allerton, Guadagnino cast aspiring actor Drew Starkey, who said he devoured the novel in a day. Starkey said he was intimidated to work alongside Guadagnino and Craig.
“I knew both of their work. I was a fan of both of them,” he said. “I think every situation is nerve-wracking. And there was an extra layer to it.”
Starkey and Craig took dance classes together to familiarize themselves with each other and with the choreography of the intimate scenes.
“There’s nothing intimate about doing a sex scene… we just wanted to make it as touching, real and natural as possible,” Craig said. “Drew is a wonderful, beautiful, amazing actor to work with. We kind of laughed. We tried to make it funny.”
Craig and Starkey star alongside Lesley Manville and Jason Schwartzman in the film, which is in main competition and will be released theatrically by A24. Guadagnino also reteamed with composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for the score, and costume designer Jonathan Anderson.
“Luca is the only person I could work with in this medium because he is the only one who trusts everyone and lets them paint their part of the picture,” said Anderson, who made sure that all the objects used were period items.
Instead of shooting on location in Mexico City, Guadagnino decided to create Burroughs’ mind at Cinecittà Studios, hoping to evoke the spirit of Powell and Pressburger.
In the reviews of “Queer,” Craig was particularly praised for his vulnerable portrayal.
“‘Queer’ is an emotional punch. It’s this little book. And it’s about love, but it’s also about loss, it’s about loneliness, it’s about longing,” Craig said. “If I wrote myself a role with all the things I want to do, this would fulfill all of those things.”
The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival has entered its final week. On Wednesday the premiere of “Joker: Folie à Deux” will take place. There were many moments like in the cinema: Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Tilda Swinton and Michael Keaton graced the red carpet in front of the Sala Grande Theater.
Although no clear favorite has emerged, the films have sparked debates and discussions: “Babygirls” representation of sexuality and desire; the authenticity of “Maria” and Jolie’s performance; The Merits of Almodóvar’s work in the English language; what we really want from a Pitt and Clooney reunification; and whether “Disclaimer,” The best film of the festival can safely be called the non-competitive, seven-part Apple TV+ miniseries by Alfonso Cuarón.
The awards will be presented on the last day of the festival, September 7th.
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Further coverage of the 2024 Venice Film Festival: https://apnews.com/hub/venice-film-festival
