Luca Guadagnino, the visionary director behind “Call Me by Your Name” and “Suspiria,” is no stranger to pushing cinematic boundaries. His latest project, “Queer,” based on William S. Burroughs' controversial novel, has certainly continued that trend. Set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2024, the film has already stirred up quite a buzz – but not all of it is positive.
“Queer” has been described as polarizing, with early screenings failing to secure a U.S. distributor despite its impressive $53 million budget. Venice Film Festival's chief, Alberto Barbera, confirmed that the film had screened for major U.S. distributors, yet none were convinced to pick it up. This leaves the film's future in the U.S. market uncertain, a surprising situation given the powerhouse cast and crew involved.
The film stars Daniel Craig, stepping away from his James Bond persona to take on a much darker role. He is joined by a talented ensemble, including Drew Starkey, Jason Schwartzman, Lesley Manville, and the up-and-coming Omar Apollo. With such a lineup, one might assume the film would be an easy sell, but it seems Guadagnino's daring vision has not been to everyone's taste.
One of the intriguing aspects of the film's production is that Guadagnino reportedly cut over an hour of footage from the original version, likely in an attempt to make the film more accessible. Yet, this has not alleviated concerns from potential distributors. The fact that “Queer” has divided early viewers suggests that it might not be a film for the masses, but rather one that will appeal to a niche audience with a taste for avant-garde cinema.
As we await the official reviews from Venice, one thing is clear: “Queer” is a film that demands attention, whether for its bold narrative, its striking performances, or its ability to challenge conventional cinematic norms. Whether it finds a home in the U.S. market remains to be seen, but it's certain that Guadagnino has once again crafted something that will get people talking – for better or for worse.
