Daniel Craig Bonds With ‘Queer’ Love Interest in Sweaty New Trailer

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As a long-time fan of Daniel Craig‘s gritty performances and his iconic portrayal of James Bond, I was thrilled to see him stepping out of his comfort zone with “Queer.” This film, directed by Luca Guadagnino, promises a raw and intense portrayal of love and addiction, set against the vibrant backdrop of Mexico City.

The studio A24 unveiled the second sneak peek for the movie titled “Queer”, directed by Luca Guadagnino and based on a novel by William S. Burroughs. In this film, Daniel Craig portrays William Lee, a solitary heroin addict living in Mexico City who embarks on a passionate relationship with a younger man named Eugene Allerton, played by Drew Starkey. Critics have been praising Craig’s performance in the movie, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in September 2024.

The trailer displayed ahead demonstrates multiple instances of Lee and Allerton locking eyes tenderly and growing increasingly close, all while beautifully capturing the rich visuals of veteran cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, who has collaborated with Guadagnino in films such as “Call Me By Your Name”, “Suspiria”, and “Challengers”.

Audience members are given a brief taste of the rich, expansive music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – it’s all synthesizers and piano with an ominous undertone that hints at the turbulent nature of the film’s central romance, which may not be as idyllic as some visuals might lead you to believe. Previously, these two talented musicians have collaborated with Guadagnino, providing the score for both “Bones and All” and “Challengers”.

The reunions don’t just conclude there; instead, the play “Queer” was transformed for the big screen by talented author Justin Kuritzkes, who also penned “Challengers.” In a conversation with Slant, Kuritzkes disclosed his thoughts on the adaptation journey and the hurdles he and Guadagnino faced while adapting Burroughs’ story for the silver screen. He asserted:

One of the things that Luca has said about the movie, which I think is really beautiful, is that it’s not a story of unrequited love so much as it’s a one of unsynchronized love. I see the movie so much as the two of them trying to get in sync, the sort of terror of actually being in sync, their reaction to that, and what that does to each of them. It’s terrifying to get what you want. That was my guiding principle as I was working through writing the movie.

Craig Wouldn’t Have Made ‘Queer’ 10 Years Ago

10 years ago, when Craig was still portraying James Bond, he admits he wouldn’t have dared to make a movie like Queer. In an interview with the New York Times, he stated, “I wouldn’t have taken it on. I was so engrossed in Bond and what that role represented, I would have been petrified of doing something like this… Initially, with Bond, I felt, ‘This is my limit. Stay within these boundaries.’

One significant factor that would have prevented the film from being made with Craig a decade ago is the high volume of explicit sexual content it contains. Despite appearing daring for the actor, it might not be as unexpected as one might assume, considering his previous roles before Bond and the Knives Out series, where he portrayed more complex characters that were closer to Lee than to 007 or Benoit Blanc.

Speaking at the Venice Film Festival, I shared that when it comes to portraying intimate moments, our approach is to always ensure they’re tasteful and serve the story. (Based on IndieWire’s report)

As much as I know: Filming a sex scene on a film set is far from being intimate; you’re surrounded by people observing. Our aim was to create an emotional connection and authenticity that felt real and natural. Working with Drew was delightful, he was a talented, beautiful, fantastic actor to collaborate with, and we shared laughter throughout the process. We strived to keep things enjoyable while executing our work.

Queer will have a limited U.S. release on November 27, 2024. Watch the trailer below:

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2024-11-26 03:33