Guadagnino's "Queer" Debuts at Venice, Craig's Performance Praised
Luca Guadagnino's adaptation of William S. Burroughs' "Queer" premieres at Venice Film Festival. Daniel Craig's performance hailed as "career-defining" in the story of obsession set in 1950s Mexico City.
The 81st Venice Film Festival, the world's oldest cinematic showcase founded in 1932, is approaching its finale with a series of high-profile premieres. Among them, Luca Guadagnino's latest work, "Queer," is set to debut on September 5, 2024, at the historic Sala Grande theater on the Lido, Venice's iconic island venue.
"Queer," an adaptation of William S. Burroughs' novel, explores themes of obsession and sexuality in 1950s Mexico City. The film stars Daniel Craig, whose performance has been lauded by festival director Alberto Barbera as "career-defining." This praise carries significant weight, considering Craig's renowned portrayal of James Bond in five films from 2006 to 2021, which revitalized the franchise.
The screenplay, penned by Justin Kuritzkes, adapts Burroughs' work, which was written in the 1950s but remained unpublished until 1985. Burroughs, a key figure in the Beat Generation literary movement that emerged in the 1950s and significantly influenced American culture, is best known for his controversial novel "Naked Lunch."
Guadagnino, whose film "Call Me by Your Name" won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2018, expressed his reverence for Burroughs in his director's statement:
"How can a man who sees and feels be other than sad?' William Burroughs asks in the last entry of his personal diary before his death. In adapting his second novel, published almost 40 years after he wrote it, we have tried to respond to this humble appeal of the great iconoclast of the beat generation."
The film also features performances by Drew Starkey, Lesley Manville, and Jason Schwartzman. A24, an independent entertainment company known for critically acclaimed films and multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture for "Moonlight" in 2017, has acquired "Queer" for theatrical distribution.
As the festival enters its final week, anticipation builds for the premiere of "Joker: Folie à Deux" on September 6, 2024. The event has already seen a parade of Hollywood stars gracing the red carpet, including Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, and Nicole Kidman.
The 81st Venice Film Festival, part of the prestigious Venice Biennale cultural organization, has sparked lively debates on various films, from "Babygirl's" portrayal of sexuality to the authenticity of Angelina Jolie's performance in "Maria." The festival will conclude on September 7, 2024, with the presentation of awards, including the coveted Golden Lion, the highest prize at this esteemed event.
