I had the chance to sit down with screen stars Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey to discuss their work on Luca Guadagnino’s audacious new film “Queer.” Based on the unfinished novel by literary icon William S. Burroughs, this steamy love story is set to be one of the most talked-about releases of the year.
A Risky But Rewarding Passion Project
For Guadagnino, “Queer” has been a long-held dream project, one he’s pursued for nearly 30 years. The director recalls, “I read the book when I was 17—II was lonely in Palermo, Sicily, and in a way, the book found me.” After numerous “false moves” over the decades, Guadagnino finally got the green light, thanks in part to the involvement of acclaimed screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes and producer Lorenzo Mieli.
Bringing Burroughs’ provocative vision to the screen was no straightforward feat, but Guadagnino found the perfect leading men in Craig and Starkey. The universal themes of love and vulnerability in the story immediately drew Craig, known for his suave turn as James Bond and his cerebral detective Benoit “This is a story about love—about someone opening themselves up to somebody else,” he says.e says.
Starkey, meanwhile, had to overcome some initial hurdles to land the role of Eugene Allerton, including a tricky scheduling conflict with his commitments to the Netflix series “Outer Banks.” But Guadagnino was resolute, telling the young actor, “It’ll happen. We’ll make it work.” The director’s confidence was well-placed, as Starkey’s performance has already earned him buzz as a breakout star.
Explicit, But Emotional
One of the most striking aspects of “Queer” is its unflinching depiction of sexuality. While some may shy away from such content, Guadagnino maintains that his approach is simply a reflection of life. “I’ve been shooting sex on-screen since I was 22,” he says. “If you give that scene awareness or alarm, it’ll become the wrong thing.”
For the actors, filming the intimate scenes required a certain level of trust and vulnerability. Craig admits, “You kind of have to leave your ego at the door.” “There are no rules.” Starkey echoes this sentiment, praising Craig’s fearless commitment: “I’ve never seen a freer actor.”
But the film’s exploration of sexuality goes beyond the physical. At its core, “Queer” is a story about the challenges of true intimacy and connection. As Starkey observes, “It’s not a story of unrequited love; it’s a story of unsynchronized love.” The characters’ struggles to open themselves up emotionally are just as captivating as their carnal encounters.
A Cinematic Journey
Guadagnino’s distinctive visual style is on full display in “Queer,” from the film’s dreamlike opening sequence to its hallucinogenic ayahuasca trip. Craig and Starkey spent weeks rehearsing a choreographed dance that takes place during this surreal interlude, an experience that brought them closer together as co-stars.
“A big part of it was embarrassing ourselves in front of one another,” Starkey recalls. “You can grow to know someone by really making a fool out of yourself in front of them. And we did that for weeks.”
This collaborative spirit extends to Guadagnino’s entire production process. The director is known for actively soliciting input from his cast and crew, fostering an environment of trust and creativity. “Luca gave him the script,” Craig says of one crew member. “That’s his M.O.—’What do you think? What do you think? What do you think?’ He wants everybody’s opinion. It’s kind of freeing. It democratizes the process.”
The Triumph Of Queer Cinema
“Queer”, with its bold visual style, explicit intimacy, and deeply felt emotional core, has the potential to become a landmark in modern queer cinema. For Craig, it represents a welcome departure from the more polished, mainstream roles he’s known for, while for Starkey, it’s a breakout opportunity to showcase his talents on the big screen.
As the film prepares to hit theaters, both actors are bracing for the impact it will have. Starkey tells his family that when they watch the film, the roles will reverse. “I was like, ‘When we watch this one, I’ll be shielding your eyes.'”
But for those willing to embrace the film’s uncompromising vision, “Queer” promises to be a transformative cinematic experience—one that celebrates the messy, complicated, and profoundly human experience of falling in love.”
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