In this engaging conversation, Justin Kuritzkes, a talented playwright and screenwriter recognized for his works on Challengers and Queer, shares his inspiring journey from stage to screen. He discusses the evolution of Challengers through its drafts and the creative nuances of a three-way relationship. Justin also delves into the adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ Queer, highlighting the complexities of portraying sex on screen. Plus, he reflects on his interesting past as a viral YouTube potion seller, shedding light on the diverse paths in creative careers.
Justin Kuritzkes emphasizes the importance of personal experiences and emotional narratives in developing screenplay concepts like 'Challengers'.
The collaborative relationship between Kuritzkes and director Luca Guadagnino significantly shaped the creative process and thematic depth of their films.
In tackling the adaptation of 'Queer', Kuritzkes aims to portray intimate scenes that contribute meaningfully to character development and storytelling.
Deep dives
Justin Gritskus's Journey to Screenwriting
Justin Gritskus shares his background growing up in Los Angeles, where he was first introduced to the film industry through a family member who was a screenwriter. This exposure, coupled with a love for cinema cultivated during his childhood, set him on a path to screenwriting. His early experiences included writing plays during high school and college, which helped him develop his craft and understand character development. Gritskus eventually transitioned from writing plays to screenplays, with his novel-writing background influencing his storytelling approach.
Creating 'Challengers' from Inspiration
Gritskus discusses how the idea for his screenplay 'Challengers' emerged from a dramatic moment during the US Open, particularly the controversial match between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams. This sparked inspiration around themes of tension and personal stakes inherent in competitive sports. He highlights his desire to bring a deeper emotional narrative to the sport, which often gets overshadowed by athletic performance. The journey of developing this idea included extensive research on tennis, leading to a newfound passion for the game.
Collaborating with Director Luca Guadagnino
The collaboration between Gritskus and Luca Guadagnino is essential to the production of 'Challengers.' Gritskus emphasizes the importance of working closely with Guadagnino from the beginning, as they shared visions and discussed the screenplay's themes. Their relationship not only enhanced the creative process but also influenced the film's overall tone. Guadagnino's unique perspective encouraged Gritskus to explore the emotional and physical connections between characters in a way that would resonate with audiences.
Realistic Portrayal of Sports and Sexuality
Both 'Challengers' and Gritskus's upcoming project 'Queer' confront the challenges of realistically depicting sex in film. He believes that intimate scenes must be more than just visual spectacles; they should contribute to character development and narrative progression. Gritskus seeks to portray characters in vulnerable situations where audience members can identify with them. He highlights how authentic dialogue and character-driven storytelling are integral to creating compelling and believable scenes.
Transitioning to 'Queer' and Future Aspirations
Following the success of 'Challengers,' Gritskus was approached by Guadagnino to adapt the novella 'Queer,' which had been a long-time passion project for the director. This presented both an honor and a challenge, as Gritskus recognized the weight of adapting such an influential work. Their previous collaboration provided a strong foundation for him to explore the narrative intricacies and character dynamics present in 'Queer.' Gritskus expresses excitement for this new project and looks forward to continuing to push boundaries in storytelling.
John welcomes playwright, novelist and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes to discuss having his first two movies — Challengers and Queer — produced a single year.
After charting his journey from playwright to screenwriter, we compare two drafts of Challengers to look at how the story changed during a hasty development, including crafting that iconic three-way. We also explore adapting William S. Burroughs’ novel Queer, and the film’s approach to showing sex on screen.
In our bonus segment for premium members, Justin looks back on his time as a viral YouTube potion seller, and the value of that creative outlet early in his career.