Daniel Craig has sailed to Italy and is now ashore at the Venice Film Festival for the Queer world premiere.
In view of the debut of Luca Guadagnino's film at the festival, which will take place in the Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema on Tuesday evening, Queer was toasted during a pre-premier celebration courtesy of Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson and W Magazine Editor-in-Chief Sara Moonves. Anderson served as costume designer for the A24 release, marking her second consecutive collaboration with Guadagnino after ChallengersStill staying in the family, Craig is the protagonist of the new Loewe campaign.
Held at the Porticciolo of the Hotel Cipriani, the intimate evening attracted a roster of actors from QueerLoewe fashion insiders and festival stars. Craig arrived arm-in-arm with his actress wife Rachel Weisz, who is here to support her husband as he sheds his James Bond persona for the gay period film based on the William S. Burroughs novel.
Joining the couple at the party were Drew Starkey, Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman and Omar Apollo from the film with screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes and editor Marco Costa. The contest title Queer is set in 1950s Mexico City, where the action follows Craig's character, William Lee. An American ex-pat in his forties, Lee lives a solitary existence in a small American community. His life changes when a young student, Starkey's Eugene Allerton, arrives on the scene, prompting William to finally make a meaningful connection with someone.
Also in attendance was Loewe's global brand ambassador, Taylor Russell, Past Lives director Celine Song, Kodi Smit-McPhee (here with the festival selections Mary AND Disclaimer), Lorenzo Mieli, Paul Lightfoot, Juergen Teller, Colin Bates and more. Check out the views inside the dinner below.
Jonathan Anderson, Sara Moonves, Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey and Luca Guadagnino.
Credit: Saskia Lawaks for W Magazine
Omar Apollo, left, and Drew Starkey meet for dinner. Pop star Apollo makes his acting debut in the film while Queer represents Starkey's most successful film role to date, after making a name for himself in the Netflix series External Benches.
Credit: Saskia Lawaks for W Magazine
Luca Guadagnino, Jonathan Anderson and Bryan Lourd of CAA. Guadagnino credited Lourd with getting the Queer the script in Craig's hands.
Credit: Saskia Lawaks for W Magazine
Jason Schwartzman and Justin Kuritzkes.
Credit: Saskia Lawaks for W Magazine
Kodi Smit-McPhee and guest.
Credit: Saskia Lawaks for W Magazine
Taylor Russell gives her a kiss on the cheek Bones and all director.
Credit: Saskia Lawaks for W Magazine