Luca Guadagnino’s latest film, ‘Queer’, tells the story of two gay men seeking refuge from their pasts in 1950s Mexico City. The film is based on William S. Burroughs’ novella and tackles themes of love, addiction, and sexuality. The film’s leads, Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey, share insights into their roles and the groundbreaking nature of the film’s portrayal of intimacy.
Craig, known for his iconic portrayal of James Bond, plays William Lee, a man on the run and struggling with heroin addiction. Starkey portrays Eugene Allerton, a mysterious man who forms an intense and fleeting connection with Lee. The film’s explicit love scenes have sparked conversations about how far on-screen intimacy should go, with Craig and Starkey noting that the process was collaborative and devoid of ego.
Guadagnino, who is no stranger to depicting queer love (having directed ‘Call Me by Your Name’), created a film that blends raw emotion with surreal elements, depicting love as more than just physical connection. Despite its frankness, the actors stress that the film is about the deeper emotional connection between their characters.
Starkey, a breakout star following his role in ‘Outer Banks’, reflects on the journey from auditioning for Guadagnino to becoming part of such a daring project. Meanwhile, Craig sees ‘Queer’ as a return to his roots in character-driven drama, far removed from his action hero image.
With ‘Queer’ set for limited release later this month, its powerful performances and unflinching portrayal of love and vulnerability promise to make it one of the year’s most talked-about films.
Lim/SM