Film Adaptation of Peter Hujar’s Interview
Ira Sachs, known for his works such as Passages, recently undertook the project Peter Hujar’s Day, inspired by a 1974 interview between photographer Peter Hujar and writer Linda Rosenkrantz. The conversation, which delves into themes of creativity alongside daily life, was published in book form in 2022. Following this discovery, Sachs communicated with Rosenkrantz via Instagram to discuss the potential for a film adaptation, which features actors Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall portraying Hujar and Rosenkrantz, respectively.
The film unfolds over a single day in a West Village apartment and aims to capture the essence of the original interview. Sachs highlighted the challenge of translating this intimate dialogue into a cinematic experience without it appearing too confined or theatrical. He acknowledged moments of doubt regarding the project’s feasibility but decided to embrace a broader narrative approach, structuring the film into 23 scenes across 12 hours rather than strictly adhering to the setup of the interview.
Sachs remarked on the emotional weight conveyed in Hujar’s descriptions, particularly addressing moments filled with loss and beauty, particularly reflecting on Hujar’s death from AIDS 17 years after the interview. He emphasized the film’s focus on authentic friendships, particularly between heterosexual women and gay men, reminiscent of Hujar’s relationships.
The director expressed a desire to portray the struggles of creativity, reflecting a universal theme of doubt among artists. The film does not idealize the past but instead presents a conversation relevant to contemporary audiences, addressing the challenges of artistic expression and the fear of economic instability faced by creators today.
Peter Hujar’s Day is set to be released in theaters on November 7th.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/816399/peter-hujars-day-ira-sachs-interview