Engaging Insights from the Cast of ‘Peter Hujar’s Day’ at Sundance 2025
- Collider’s Steve Weintraub engaged in a revealing conversation with Ira Sachs, Ben Whishaw, and Rebecca Hall regarding their film Peter Hujar’s Day during the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
- In this insightful interview, the trio discusses how they skillfully captured a moment in time through evocative cinematography and natural dialogue, despite Sachs? decision to forgo rehearsals entirely.
- They also hint at exciting upcoming projects such as Black Doves Season 2 and a suspenseful thriller directed by Adam Wingard.
From Passages to Love is Strange, the acclaimed director Ira Sachs has left an indelible mark on indie cinema, particularly through his authentic exploration of romance and relationships, especially within the queer community. In his latest work, Peter Hujar’s Day, which made its debut at the prestigious 2025 Sundance Film Festival, Sachs takes a different approach, focusing on a more straightforward yet deeply evocative premise that invites viewers to reflect on the nuances of everyday life.
The film draws its inspiration from the captivating transcripts of a real conversation that occurred almost 50 years ago between the renowned photographer Peter Hujar and the talented author Linda Rosenkrantz. Portrayed by Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall, the narrative zooms in on an ordinary day that transforms into a profound, intimate experience, capturing a fleeting moment in time. Through its exploration of mundane details that vividly illustrate the essence of 1974 New York City, and by authentically conveying Peter’s existential longing, the film transports audiences into the rich world of a past artist.
At the festival, Sachs, Whishaw, and Hall visited Collider’s media studio at Rendezvous Cinema Center to share insights with Steve Weintraub. They discussed how they encapsulated the essence of that era, from selecting the ideal camera to accurately portraying Peter’s distinct speech patterns while also engaging with Linda, who is still alive. Sachs elaborated on his perspective of this one-day, limited-setting project as an “action film” and explained his rationale for avoiding rehearsals prior to filming. The trio also teased their future projects, including Black Doves Season 2, James L. Brooks? Ella McCay, The Beauty, Man I Love, and a thrilling collaboration with Adam Wingard. To delve deeper into the creation of this unique, boundary-pushing film, check out the video above or read the full transcript below.
Explore the Unique Storytelling Behind ?Peter Hujar?s Day? Rooted in a Past Conversation
“This Film is Truly Unique in Its Approach.”
COLLIDER: The emotional depth in this film is striking. How have you been conveying its essence to friends and family who have yet to see it?
IRA SACHS: The film is titled Peter Hujar?s Day. It?s inspired by a genuine conversation that transpired in 1974 between the photographer Peter Hujar and his dear friend Linda Rosenkrantz. Although the audio of this conversation was lost, a transcription of their dialogue was discovered 50 years later in the Morgan Library and subsequently published in a book titled Peter Hujar?s Day. After reading the book, I thought to myself, “Let?s create a film depicting these two friends engaging in meaningful conversation.”
For both of you, there are numerous scripts offered, so what made this project stand out as a must-be-part-of experience?
BEN WHISHAW: The uniqueness of this script captivated me; it felt entirely distinct from anything else I had encountered, which excited me. I was also eager to collaborate with Ira again, and I have an immense admiration for Peter Hujar as well as Rebecca Hall. All these wonderful elements converged perfectly.
REBECCA HALL: Absolutely! [Laughs] This film presents a rare peculiarity. We often discuss the challenges of finding opportunities to create films that are innovative, distinctive, or push boundaries in any meaningful way. When a script like this arrives, it sparks curiosity about its potential execution. It?s almost anti-drama; nothing overtly dramatic occurs. Instead, the essence of the film lies in how we explore their lives and friendship through the lens of their dialogue.
Moreover, this narrative resonates with people we know?particularly Peter Hujar, though not as much with Linda. It functions as a time capsule reflecting a moment in New York City. However, it transcends mere nostalgia; it embodies the recounting of daily experiences while yearning to preserve that moment. Ultimately, it highlights the fleeting nature of existence, reinforcing the purpose of film as a medium that helps us capture and hold onto something intangible.
What you’ve articulated is both eloquent and profoundly true.
Discover Ben Whishaw’s Preparation Journey for the Unique Dialogue of ‘Peter Hujar’s Day’
“The richness of the dialogue required me to find a way to internalize it.”
I was truly immersed in the film, feeling as if I had been transported back to two individuals in an apartment simply conversing. The set design was striking, showcasing the minimalist nature of her apartment, which reflected a time when materialism was less prominent, particularly in New York City. This realistic portrayal made the film feel authentic. Can you discuss how you achieved this immersive atmosphere for the audience?
SACHS: I approach period films as if they are made in the present. My focus is on capturing intricate details that resonate with the authenticity of that era. The text itself brings a genuine sense of time, as it is of that time. Collaborating with the talented production designer Stephen Phelps, who also worked on Anora this year, we created a space that felt organic. The apartment was designed as an empty canvas where everything was either built, painted, or brought in. Despite this minimalism, the setting is located on the top floor of Westbeth, an iconic artist housing complex in New York City that has been a home for artists since 1971. We aimed to capture the essence of what it means to be an artist in this vibrant city.
Our goal was to evoke a sense of nostalgia while remaining grounded in reality. In some ways, it parallels Passages; while Passages presents an unrealistic narrative, it still feels authentic. We are not shying away from details that leave a lasting impression. Every piece of furniture, from the couch to the rug and bedspread, contributes to the film’s overall narrative.
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Ben, as a devoted admirer of your work, I must emphasize that in this project, you dominate a significant portion of the dialogue. What is your approach leading up to filming, especially in terms of memorizing such extensive dialogue and immersing yourself in the character’s mindset?
WHISHAW: It was purely about hard work. I dedicated myself to absorbing the material. This task was particularly fascinating because it stemmed from actual words, infused with an oddity and inarticulacy, yet also possessing a unique articulacy and peculiar rhythms. It was incredibly rich, and I needed to discover a way for it to remain lodged in my memory. I focused on identifying patterns and markers that would anchor it in my mind. I would carry the script with me everywhere, even pulling it out in restaurants to go over a few lines, then tucking it back away.
SACHS: What?s intriguing is that this was a solitary endeavor for you, much like Hujar’s photographic work. This was your personal journey. I merely provided you with the text, and then you embarked on this artistic exploration independently.
WHISHAW: Absolutely, and that isolation was quite rewarding.
‘Peter Hujar’s Day’ Captures a Timeless Version of New York City
“My Romanticized Vision of That Era Shapes My Perspective.”
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