Daniel Craig’s involvement in Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ novella “Queer” has sparked unexpected reactions at the Venice Film Festival. Despite the shock, Craig’s choice to star in this tender gay romance set in 1940s Mexico City seems fitting given his personal life in liberal Brooklyn.
On Tuesday, Craig expressed his enthusiasm for the role, praising Guadagnino, and dismissing any notion of the project being a challenge. “It’s the kind of film I want to see, I want to make, I want to be out there,” Craig said.
Guadagnino’s film, deeply personal to him, depicts an American expatriate, William Lee (played by Craig), navigating his addiction and romantic entanglements in Mexico. The story intensifies when Lee encounters Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), a young Navy veteran, during a cockfight. Their subsequent relationship, marked by emotional and physical intimacy, is portrayed with nuance, including a vivid ayahuasca scene added by Guadagnino and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes.
Craig and Starkey prepared for their intimate scenes with the precision of choreography, aiming for authenticity. “There’s nothing intimate about filming a sex scene on a movie set,” Craig remarked, highlighting their effort to make the scenes natural and impactful.
Guadagnino addressed questions about casting Craig, emphasizing the actor’s ability to convey vulnerability, which aligns with the film’s exploration of love and loss. Craig affirmed this, stating that “Queer” fulfills his desire for a role encompassing profound emotional depth.
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