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Thursday, November 23, 2017, 14:59
First love, gay love take center stage in 'Call Me By Your Name'
By Reuters
Thursday, November 23, 2017, 14:59 By Reuters

In this Jan 23, 2017 file photo, director Luca Guadagnino, clockwise from left, actor Armie Hammer, actor Michael Stuhlbarg, actor Timothee Chalamet and editor Walter Fasano pose for a portrait to promote the film, "Call Me By Your Name", during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The film is based on the novel by Andre Aciman. (PHOTO BY TAYLOR JEWELL / INVISION / AP, FILE)

LOS ANGELES - Call Me By Your Name became a landmark for gay romantic fiction when it was first published in 2007, but the makers of a new movie version say it will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good love story. 

You will be able to watch this and remember the first time you were infatuated with someone, or you had given your heart to somebody, or you had your heart broken

Armie Hammer, American Actor

Starring Timothee Chalamet as a 17 year old in 1980s Italy, and Armie Hammer as a visiting American scholar, Call Me By Your Name is the sensual story of first love played out during an idyllic and languid summer. 

Based on the 2007 novel by American writer Andre Aciman, the movie arrives in US theaters on Friday, 11 years after cowboy romance Brokeback Mountain won three Oscars and became a cultural phenomenon. 

Like Brokeback Mountain, Call Me By Your Name portrays its protagonists on their own terms, without judgment or stereotypes. It is also attracting Hollywood awards buzz, and this week it received six nominations for the Independent Spirit awards, including best male lead actor, supporting male lead and best feature. 

"You will be able to watch this and remember the first time you were infatuated with someone, or you had given your heart to somebody, or you had your heart broken. These are core, base, elemental human emotions that anybody can identify with," Hammer said. 

"So put any prejudices or preconceived notions aside and just go into it with an open mind," he said. 

Italian director Luca Guadagnino said it took 10 years to make the movie, partly because of financing and partly because of its slow-burn, low drama story. 

"It is not an action film, there is not a villain. It is about these people. They love one another and want to become better people. Maybe that was a bit odd for the market," he said. 

This image released by Sony Pictures Classics shows Timothée Chalamet, left, and Armie Hammer in a scene from "Call Me By Your Name." (SONY PICTURES CLASSICS VIA AP)

Chalamet, 21, and Hammer had a crucial three weeks in Italy ahead of filming to build their relationship, much of which is played out on screen in looks and words unsaid. 

"This movie lives and dies in the honesty and truth of the chemistry and romance that happens between these two people... That's a challenging thing as an actor to be that vulnerable, and honest and open and exposed emotionally, not only to another person but to a camera," Hammer said. 

Guadagnino said making the low-budget movie was "a call of duty." 

"There is a song by Prefab Sprout titled All the World Loves Lovers and all the world loves people in love. That's what I want the audience to take away." 

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