Wed Jan 08 05:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Obscure Guadagnino Debut, “The Protagonists,” Explores the Dark Side of True Crime Obsession
**NEW YORK, NY** – Luca Guadagnino, the acclaimed director of *Call Me By Your Name* and *Bones and All*, has a little-known 1999 film that’s finally getting some attention. *The Protagonists*, his directorial debut starring Tilda Swinton, is a unique exploration of true crime and its ethical implications. The film follows an Italian film crew as they create a documentary about the 1994 murder of Mohamed el-Sayed by two upper-class teenagers, James Petrolini and Richard Elsey, in London. The killers, inspired by the Leopold and Loeb case, randomly targeted el-Sayed.
Guadagnino’s approach is far from traditional. The film blends documentary footage with fictionalized behind-the-scenes drama, blurring the lines between reality and cinematic representation. Swinton, playing herself, leads the crew, while the killers are portrayed by actors, raising questions about the exploitation of victims and the sensationalization of crime. The film utilizes unconventional techniques, including grainy footage of interviews, jarring scenes, and provocative recreations, which initially alienated Italian critics but now highlight Guadagnino’s distinctive style.
The film explores themes of obsession, desire, and the distortion of reality through fantasy, foreshadowing the director’s later works. It even includes a bizarre scene where one of the killers identifies with both Buffalo Bill from *The Silence of the Lambs* and Clarice Starling, highlighting the complex psychological dimensions of the crime.
Now streaming on Mubi in the U.S., *The Protagonists* offers a fascinating glimpse into Guadagnino’s early career and his unique approach to storytelling, long before he achieved international acclaim. This unconventional and thought-provoking film is a must-see for fans of true crime and experimental cinema.
First Piper 