‘Challengers’ writer Justin Kuritzkes on his eerie adaptation of ‘Queer’
When screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes accepted the challenge of adapting William S. Burroughs’ “Queer” for director Luca Guadagnino, he faced uncertainty. The film explores the relationship between American expats in Mexico City, with a surreal jungle adventure. Kuritzkes tailored the screenplay for Guadagnino, incorporating intimate scenes and new elements like an ayahuasca trip. He saw himself as a mediator between Guadagnino and Burroughs, balancing fidelity to the novel with creating a distinct character beyond the author’s persona.
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Character Study: Lee in ‘Queer’
“It’s really surprising to find a character that’s very tender and sweet, and at times is a complete asshole, but is also really embarrassing,” Kuritzkes said. “He’s a character who doesn’t know when to shut up. He’s the kind of guy who gets stuck in the middle of the room because he started to approach somebody, and then that person goes and sits at another table, and now he doesn’t know where to go.”
Perhaps nowhere is Lee more stereotypically embarrassing than during his early courtship of Allerton, when he offers up a little bow in the middle of a bar.
The moment is exactly as written in the book, which describes Lee’s “ghastly” attempt to muster a dignified greeting, only to instead let out a “leer of naked lust.” (A misreading of the line by Allen Ginsberg led to the title of Burroughs’ novel Naked Lunch.)
“That’s exactly the thing that made me feel connected to this character,” Kuritzkes said. “I can’t really connect with the guy who has an obsession with guns, does heroin his whole life, and projects this macho, cool, austere literary persona. That person I can’t really touch. But I can touch the person who can’t help but let out ‘a leer of naked lust’ when he’s trying to look cool. That felt like a character I could write, and that felt like a character that would be exciting for someone to play.”
Queer is now in theaters.
