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Daniel Craig talks about challenges of 91ƵQueer91Ƶ at Venice Film Festival

James Bond actor says he put himself in director91Ƶs hands for raw and exposing performance
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Workers paint signage for the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. The festival runs from Aug. 27 until Sept. 8. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

regular Luca Guadagnino is back on the Lido to debut his new Daniel Craig film 91ƵQueer91Ƶ on Tuesday night.

A festival favorite, Guadagnino had to forgo a splashy red carpet premiere for the last year, when the studio delayed its release amid the actors strike. But the filmmaker is returning with another highly anticipated project, adapting a William S. Burroughs novel about an American expat in Mexico City in 1950 who develops an obsession with a young, male student.

A few hours before the premiere, Craig spoke to The Associated Press about the challenges of the role, which included nudity and sex scenes. His character, William Lee, spends his days drinking tequila in sweaty bars and his nights pursuing men, or doing heroin alone. It91Ƶs a raw and exposing performance, but Craig trusted his director91Ƶs vision.

91ƵI think if it was wrong, (Luca would) say something, but if it was right, he91Ƶd just say, you know, move on. Let91Ƶs do it. Let91Ƶs go. We have it,91Ƶ Craig said. 91ƵWhich can be a little disconcerting, but I think after a while you just go, 91ƵI91Ƶm in his hands.91Ƶ91Ƶ

91ƵChallengers91Ƶ screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes wrote the script for 91ƵQueer,91Ƶ adapting a novel that was written in the 1950s but not published until 1985. It91Ƶs a story that others have tried to adapt over the years, including Steve Buscemi and Oren Moverman.

91ƵI always felt that Burroughs had a very public face, and I wanted to know what the private part of him was like,91Ƶ said Craig, who spoke to a few people who knew him. 91ƵI think in 91ƵQueer91Ƶ you sort of see more of that than you do in his other books.91Ƶ

Craig had been aware of Burroughs and his Beat era contemporaries like Ginsberg and Kerouac but not the specifics of his time in Mexico.

91ƵIt was kind of nice digging into that,91Ƶ Craig said.

To play the young object of his affection, Eugene Allerton, Guadagnino cast rising actor Drew Starkey, who said he devoured the novel in a day.

Starkey said he was intimidated to work alongside Guadagnino and Craig.

91ƵI was familiar with both their work. I was fans of both their work,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵI think coming into any situation is nerve-wracking. And there was an extra layer on top of that.91Ƶ

Craig and Starkey star alongside Lesley Manville and Jason Schwartzman in the film, which is playing in the main competition. A24 recently acquired 91ƵQueer91Ƶ for theatrical distribution.

The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival has entered its final week, with the premiere of 91ƵJoker: Folie à Deux91Ƶ to come on Wednesday. There have been many movie star moments, with the likes of Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Tilda Swinton and Michael Keaton having graced the red carpet outside the Sala Grande theater.

Though no clear favorite has emerged, the films have inspired debate and discussions: ; the authenticity of ; the ; what we really want out of a reunion; and whether Alfonso Cuarón91Ƶs seven-part Apple TV+ miniseries, which is not in competition, can reasonably be considered the best film of the festival.

Awards will be presented on the final day of the festival, Sept. 7.





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