Designing the surreal world of Queer (Video podcast)

Episode Summary
In this episode of The Film and Furniture Podcast, host Paula Benson dives into the world of Luca Guadagnino's film Queer with production designer Stefano Baisi. Stefano shares the process of creating the film’s surreal, dreamlike film sets, where furniture, decor, and architectural elements play a significant role in telling the story. From historical research to designing imaginary worlds, this episode explores how every detail in the set contributes to the psychological depth of the film.

Episode Highlights

🎥 Research and Immersion: Stefano takes us on his personal journey retracing William Lee (and William Burroughs') steps across Mexico and Ecuador to bring authenticity to Queer’s design.

🏠 The Challenge: Stefano reflects on his transition from interior architecture to production design for film, and how it shaped his approach to set design.

🎨 The Influence of art and film: Stefano discusses the influence of matte paintings by the film artist Albert Whitlock and the artists Francis Bacon, Michaël Borremans and Francis Alÿs on the film's visual language, as well as the films Naked Lunch, Blue Velvet, The Red Shoes and Black Narcissus.

🏠 Designing Lee’s Apartment: The careful crafting of Lee’s apartment, reflecting the character’s isolation and inner turmoil through furniture and set details.

⛵ Ship Ahoy Café: The design of the Ship Ahoy café, inspired by nautical themes merged with an American diner style and expat atmosphere.

🌿 Building the Jungle Set: The challenge of recreating the Ecuadorian jungle on an Italian studio lot, mixing real plants and fake foliage to create an authentic but fantastical setting.

🌙 Surreal Set Design: The process behind the dreamy, almost hallucinatory sequences in Queer, including the profound scene where the characters share a connection through ayahuasca.

 

🎭 Guest & Host Info

Guest: Stefano Baisi is an Italian production designer with a background in interior architecture at Luca Guadagnino's design studio.

Host: Paula Benson – Founder and Editor of Film and Furniture

 

Films Mentioned

• Queer– Stefano’s work as production designer.
• Naked Lunch (1991) – Surrealist set design and its influence on Queer’s aesthetic.
• Blue Velvet (1986) – An influence on Lee’s apartment
• The Red Shoes - Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
• Black Narcissus (1947) - The British psychological drama film jointly written, directed and produced by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
  
  Links & Resources

🔗 Buy the Mexican Copa Chabela Cuadrada (square glass)
🔗 Read the book Queer by William Burroughs
🔗 Read the Film and Furniture article on Queer
🔗 Books on Francis Bacon
🔗 Books on the artist Michaël Borremans

🔗 Books on the artist Francis Alÿs
🔗 Discover where to find furniture and décor in film in our marketplace: 

🔗 Sign up for our Newsletter for exclusive content and giveaways

When to Watch/Listen to This Episode?
You can watch or listen to this episode before seeing the film to enhance your viewing experience. However, please note that it contains SPOILERS. If you prefer to avoid them, watch after seeing the film—it might even make you want to watch the film all over again!

 

🎨 Credits

Film and Furniture Founder/Editor: Paula Benson
Podcast Producer: Suzanne Courage
Video/Podcast Editor: Ira Putilova
Graphics: Paul West (@Form Design and Branding)
With thanks to A24

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