“Queer is a journey into the depths of human emotion and the search for meaning in a world filled with uncertainty, says director Luca Guadagnino. “Through the eyes of William Lee, we explore the intricacies of identity, the struggle for connection, and the relentless pursuit of understanding oneself.”
REVIEW: The significance of the film Queer lies in its exploration of deeply human themes and its ability to resonate across different generations and cultures. The film delves into the protagonist’s struggle with his identity and his place in the world. This introspective journey reflects the universal quest for self-discovery and acceptance, making it relatable to a wide audience. At its core, Queer is about the complexities of human relationships. It examines the desire for connection, the pain of unrequited love, and the challenges of truly understanding another person. These themes are timeless and resonate with anyone who has experienced the highs and lows of relationships. The film goes beyond surface-level storytelling to explore the psychological and emotional depths of its characters. This approach allows for a more profound and immersive viewing experience, encouraging the audience to empathize with the characters’ struggles and triumphs. Themes such as obsession, desire, loneliness, and the search for meaning are universal and timeless. Queer stands as a significant work in contemporary cinema, offering a poignant and reflective exploration of what it means to be human. It’s a film that challenges viewers to look beyond superficial judgments and recognize the shared humanity in everyone.
Luca Guadagnino was deeply inspired by William S. Burroughs’ 1985 semi-autobiographical novella, Queer. Guadagnino first read the book as a young man in Palermo, Italy, and was captivated by its vivid imagery and themes of obsession and desire. He described the book as having a profound impact on him, and he began working on an adaptation of it even before he directed his first feature film.
“I first read William S. Burroughs’ novella ‘Queer’ as a young man in Palermo, Italy. The book’s vivid imagery and themes of obsession and desire profoundly impacted me. I wanted to bring Burroughs’ freewheeling prose to life on screen, exploring the protagonist’s unruly obsessions and quest for enlightenment.”
Guadagnino’s vision for the film involved staying faithful to the source material while also reimagining certain period details with anachronistic elements to create a unique cinematic experience. He aimed to bring Burroughs’ freewheeling prose to life on screen, exploring the protagonist’s unruly obsessions and quest for enlightenment.
The film follows William Lee (played by Daniel Craig), an American expatriate who becomes infatuated with a much younger man named Eugene Allerton (played by Drew Starkey).
It’s fascinating how a book can have such a lasting impact on an artist and inspire them to create something so meaningful
The novella so inspired Guadagnino that he began working on an adaptation of it long before he directed his first feature film. His passion for the story and its themes of obsession and desire drove him to pursue this project over many years.
This deep connection to the material is evident in the film, as Guadagnino’s unique vision brings Burroughs’ prose to life in a visually stunning and emotionally compelling way.
Although Luca Guadagnino initially crafted a draft of the screenplay, Justin Kuritzkes was brought on to adapt Burroughs’ novella and bring his touch to the project. This was Kuritzkes’ first experience adapting source material, and he worked closely with Guadagnino to ensure the film stayed true to the spirit of the novella while also making it accessible to a modern audience.
“While Queer depicts a very specific time and place, its themes — longing, loneliness, and the limits of what we can seek in another person; what they can do for us, and what we must do for ourselves — remain universal,” says Kuritzkes.
Kuritzkes focuses on the timeless themes of longing, loneliness, and the limits of human connection. These are emotions and experiences that transcend specific time periods and locations, making the story relatable to anyone who has ever felt a sense of unfulfilled desire or the pain of isolation.
The screenplay delves into the complexities of the protagonist’s inner world, exploring his obsessions and desires with a raw honesty that mirrors Burroughs’ prose. This emotional depth ensures that the characters feel real and their struggles resonate on a personal level.
While staying true to the period setting of 1950s Mexico City, Kuritzkes incorporates modern sensibilities that make the story accessible to today’s viewers. This includes nuanced character development, contemporary dialogue, and a focus on the internal rather than just the external conflicts.
Working with Luca Guadagnino, Kuritzkes integrates visual and symbolic elements that enhance the storytelling.
Visual and Symbolic Images
Kuritzkes’ screenplay integrates visual and symbolic elements that significantly enhance the storytelling in Queer.
A centipede appears prominently in the film and is a key symbol. It represents change and transformation, reflecting the protagonist William Lee’s struggle with his identity and desires. The centipede’s many legs can symbolize the complexity and multiplicity of Lee’s inner world. In one of the film’s dream sequences, William Lee sees a centipede necklace come to life, which then transforms into an ouroboros (a snake eating its own tail). This symbolizes the cyclical nature of Lee’s obsession and his inability to move on from his past.
Throughout the film, Lee often appears translucent, especially when he is alone. This visual metaphor represents his internal struggle and the divide between his public persona and his true self. It highlights his shame and the disconnect between who he is and who he wants to be.
Lee’s obsession with the telepathic drug “yage” symbolises his desire for deeper connection and understanding. It represents his longing to communicate his true feelings and thoughts, which he struggles to express outwardly.
These symbols enhance the storytelling by providing visual and thematic depth, allowing the audience to engage with the protagonist’s inner turmoil on a more profound level.
These elements work hand-in-hand with Luca Guadagnino’s direction to create a more immersive and impactful film experience.
The film uses specific color palettes and lighting to evoke the mood and atmosphere of 1950s Mexico City. This helps to transport the audience into the protagonist’s world, making the setting almost a character in itself. Throughout the film, certain objects, scenes, and visual motifs are used symbolically to reflect the protagonist’s internal struggles and emotional journey. For example, mirrors might be used to symbolize self-reflection and the duality of identity, while certain landscapes could represent isolation or freedom. The film employs visual metaphors to convey complex themes without relying solely on dialogue. These metaphors allow the audience to infer deeper meanings and emotional nuances, adding layers to the storytelling.
Art Direction and Cinematography
The meticulous art direction and set design by Guadagnino’s frequent collaborator, production designer Letizia Battaglia, and set decorator Luca Massimo Gamberini, helped to create an authentic and visually striking world. Details like period-appropriate decor, costumes, and locations enhance the narrative and bring the story to life.
Creative camera techniques by cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, such as close-ups, long takes, and unconventional angles, are used to highlight key moments and emotions. These techniques draw the audience’s attention to specific aspects of the story and characters, making the viewing experience more engaging.
By incorporating these visual and symbolic elements, Kuritzkes and Guadagnino create a rich, multi-dimensional narrative that goes beyond the written word. This approach not only honors the essence of Burroughs’ novella but also elevates the film to a work of art in its own right.
These elements help to convey the protagonist’s psychological state and the overall atmosphere of the film, creating a rich, immersive experience that echoes the vivid imagery of the novella.
By weaving these elements together, Justin Kuritzkes not only honors the spirit of Burroughs’ work but also brings a fresh perspective that allows the story to resonate with a new generation. The themes of longing, loneliness, and the search for connection are universal, and Kuritzkes’ adaptation ensures that they remain relevant and impactful.
Luca Guadagnino is an Italian film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his visually arresting style and emotionally complex films. Guadagnino spent part of his childhood in Ethiopia, where his father taught history and Italian literature. The family moved back to Italy in 1977 to escape the Ethiopian Civil War. Guadagnino developed a passion for cinema from a young age and began making amateur films after receiving a Super 8 camera from his mother. He studied literature at the University of Palermo and later graduated from Sapienza University in Rome. Guadagnino made his directorial debut with the feature film “The Protagonists” in 1999. He is best known for his films “I Am Love” (2009), “A Bigger Splash” (2015), Call Me by Your Name (2017), and Challengers. Guadagnino has also directed documentaries, including “Bertolucci on Bertolucci” (2013) and “Salvatore: The Shoemaker of Dreams” (2020). In addition to filmmaking, Guadagnino has been involved in the world of fashion, directing advertisements for brands like Fendi and Salvatore Ferragamo. He founded the production company Frenesy Film Company in 2012. Guadagnino is openly gay and has been involved with several notable men.
Justin Kuritzkes is an American playwright, novelist, and screenwriter. Kuritzkes studied philosophy and literary arts at Brown University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2012. He has been active in his career since 2011. Kuritzkes is best known for writing the screenplays for Luca Guadagnino’s films Challengers and Queer. He gained early recognition for his one-act play An Autobiography of My Brother, which won honours at the 2010 Young Playwrights Competition. His novel “Famous People” was published in 2019. In addition to his writing, Kuritzkes has a presence on YouTube, where he has posted videos, including the viral “Potion Seller” video. He has also received a MacDowell Fellowship twice, in 2012 and 2016. Kuritzkes is married to filmmaker Celine Song, and they live together in New York City. He continues to work on various projects, including screen adaptations of novels and collaborations with notable actors and directors.
