Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Queer’ Premieres at Venice: A Revolutionary Take on Love, Identity, and Desire

Luca Guadagnino’s Most Personal Film Yet: The Long Journey to Adapting William S. Burroughs’ Queer

Luca Guadagnino’s long-anticipated adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ novella Queer debuted at the Venice Film Festival, marking what the director calls his most personal project to date. The film, years in the making, became a reality when producer Lorenzo Mieli and Fremantle’s Raffaella de Angelis secured the rights to the book. Guadagnino swiftly collaborated with Challengers screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes to develop the script.

Casting was pivotal in realizing Guadagnino’s vision. Daniel Craig, brought on board by CAA chief Bryan Lourd, stars as Lee, a character modeled on Burroughs himself—an American expatriate living in Mexico who becomes obsessively infatuated with a younger man, played by Outer Banks actor Drew Starkey.

Guadagnino describes Queer as a “very revolutionary” film, not only for its exploration of universal themes like love and identity but also for its bold portrayal of sexuality. The film’s Venice premiere underscores Guadagnino’s dedication to crafting deeply personal and resonant cinematic experiences.

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