A24’s latest film, Queer, premiered at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival and has quickly garnered attention for its star-studded cast and evocative storyline. The film features Daniel Craig, known for his role as James Bond, and Drew Starkey, recognized for his performance in Outer Banks.
Queer is set in 1940s Mexico City and explores the lives of American expatriates navigating life in the vibrant yet tumultuous environment of post-war Mexico. The film follows William Lee, played by Craig, who reflects on his experiences among college students and bar owners living off part-time jobs and GI Bill benefits. His character is driven by a quest to pursue a young man named Eugene Allerton, portrayed by Starkey, who is inspired by real-life figure Adelbert Lewis Marker.
The film is directed by Luca Guadagnino, acclaimed for his work on Call Me By Your Name and Challengers. Guadagnino’s direction promises a rich, emotional depth to the story, evident in the intimate scenes between Craig and Starkey.
During the Venice Film Festival, Craig and Starkey shared insights into their preparation and the filming process. Craig candidly discussed the challenge of shooting intimate scenes, highlighting the contrast between the on-screen chemistry and the reality of filming in front of a crew. “You know as well as I do, there’s nothing intimate about filming a sex scene on a movie set,” Craig noted, emphasizing their effort to make the scenes as genuine and touching as possible. He praised Starkey as a “wonderful, fantastic, beautiful actor” and described their collaborative process as both challenging and enjoyable.
Starkey echoed Craig’s sentiments, detailing how movement rehearsals played a crucial role in their preparation. “We jumped into movement rehearsals pretty early on,” Starkey explained. “And I think not just in the intimate scenes, but throughout the course of the movie, that really freed us up and freed what was happening in the air, and it freed our bodies up.” Starkey admitted that despite their lack of formal dance training, their shared learning experience helped enhance their performances.
As for the film’s release, A24 has secured the rights to Queer, but a nationwide release date has yet to be announced. Fans and critics alike are eagerly awaiting the film’s broader debut to experience the dynamic performances and storytelling that have already made waves in the film festival circuit.
