EXCLUSIVE: One of the surprises for international buyers at the Venice and Toronto film festivals was that Luca Guadagnino‘s Queer, starring Daniel Craig, didn’t have an international sales agent…

Surprise over with news we can bring you that The Veterans has come aboard to handle international dealmaking on the project.

Queer makes its North American premiere today as a Special Presentation at TIFF after a well-received world premiere on the Lido last week.

A24 recently acquired U.S. rights and will release later this year. Lucky Red will distribute the film in Italy. CAA Media Finance, which brokered the deal with A24, brought The Veterans on to represent international distribution rights. 

The film was written for the screen by Guadagnino’s Challengers collaborator Justin Kuritzkes, adapted from the novel of the same name by legendary American writer William S. Burroughs.

Set in 1950s Mexico City, pic follows William Lee, an American ex-pat in his late forties, as he leads a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, the arrival in town of Eugene Allerton, a young student, stirs William into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone.

Daniel Craig stars with Drew Starkey, Oscar nominee Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Andra Ursuta, Michael Borremans and David Lowery.

The movie will also get a Spotlight Gala at the New York Film Festival, and will screen at the upcoming London and Zurich film festivals.

“Queer is the most faithful adaptation of the universe of William Burroughs. Luca successfully mixes beauty, humor and emotional depth in this  journey, with Daniel Craig delivering the performance of a lifetime,” said The Veterans’ Vincent Maraval.

Pic was produced by Fremantle, Fremantle North America, Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment, a Fremantle Group Company, and Luca Guadagnino for his Frenesy Film Company, in collaboration with Cinecitta and Frame by Frame. Fremantle Group financed the film.