The characters of Oliver and Elio that captured hearts around the world in the 2017 film Call Me By Your Name may get a few more chances at love, if the film’s director has his way.
Speaking to the Guardian, director Luca Guadagnino says he would like to further explore the characters on screen with direction from the source material – André Aciman’s 2007 novel of the same name.
“These characters are so fantastic, and I want to know what happens to them,” Guadagnino said of the leads played by Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet.
“The last 40 pages of the book tell you about 20 years in the life of Oliver and Elio. So I started to think about Michael Apted’s Up, and the cycle of films (Francois) Truffaut devoted to the character of Antoine Doinel.”
“Maybe it’s not a question of sequel, it’s a question of chronicling everyone in this film. I think seeing these characters growing in the bodies of these actors will be quite fantastic.”
Guadagnino also touched on some criticisms of the film, including its omission of LGBTI actors or explicit sex scenes.
“This film is about the blossoming of love and desire, no matter where it comes from and toward what. So I couldn’t have ever thought of casting with any sort of gender agenda. I think people are so beautiful and complex as creatures that as much as I am fascinated with gender theory.”
“I wanted the audience to completely rely on the emotional travel of these people and feel first love. I didn’t want the audience to find any difference or discrimination toward these characters.”
Call Me By Your Name is screening at Luna Palace cinemas now. Check out our review of the film here.
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