In a departure from his James Bond persona, Daniel Craig stars in Luca Guadagnino’s new film “Queer” at the Venice Film Festival. He plays a drug-addicted gay American in 1950s Mexico who falls for a younger man, with intimate love scenes depicted on screen. Craig, 56, expressed indifference towards potential controversies surrounding the explicit sex sequences, as he focused on the emotional depth of his character. Guadagnino emphasized the soulful performance by Craig as the heart of the film, transcending the physicality of the scenes. The film, based on an unfinished novel by William S. Burroughs, follows the two characters as they venture into the jungle in search of a hallucinogenic drug.
Craig, who previously starred in five Bond films, welcomed the opportunity to work with Guadagnino on a smaller indie production, shot in a Rome studio. He and his co-star Drew Starkey underwent movement and dance classes together to build intimacy for their roles. Guadagnino, known for the acclaimed film “Call Me by Your Name,” brought his vision to life after 33 years of wanting to adapt the novel, completing the project in just six months. “Queer” is among the competition for the Golden Lion award at the festival, with the winner to be announced on Saturday. Craig’s wife, Rachel Weisz, also attended the premiere alongside him, marking a significant moment in his career.
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