Ben Whishaw on playing a half-forgotten photographer, resisting the commercial and being Padddington

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Peter Hujar, a talented New York photographer largely lost to time, is experiencing a renewed interest in his work. He’s the focus of a new film, “Peter Hujar’s Day,” starring Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall. The movie depicts a single day in December 1974, following Hujar as he’s interviewed by writer Linda Rosenkrantz for a book about artists – a book that was never actually published. The film offers a glimpse into the life of this important figure from the 1970s Manhattan art scene.

Throughout the film, Hujar spends time in Rosenkrantz’s apartment, constantly smoking and recounting the events of his day, both the ordinary and the unusual. Actor Ben Whishaw, 45, explains he was drawn to the project because the source material didn’t immediately seem like it would make a compelling film. “That’s what interested me,” he says. “I enjoy exploring seemingly uneventful or commonplace things closely, because they often hold hidden depths. I felt this text had that potential.”

Sixty-year-old Sachs describes Ben Whishaw as both a friend and a fellow artist, highlighting a strong connection between them. While Whishaw is widely recognized for voicing Paddington in the recent films and playing Q in the James Bond movies with Daniel Craig, he has a broader range of artistic pursuits. Sachs explains they both share a deep, personal commitment to creativity and support each other in remaining independent from purely commercial pressures.

Peter Hujar’s Day is more artistic than mainstream, but it’s completely captivating. The film beautifully captures 1970s New York, a time when artists could still live affordably in the city’s heart. We see Hujar reflecting on his health, sharing a meal with a friend, and even playing Bach on the harpsichord. The film also includes a wonderfully odd and funny visit to Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, whom Hujar was photographing for the New York Times.

Sachs skillfully directs the conversation between Whishaw and Hall to feel natural and cinematic, not staged. Whishaw explains that unlike traditional plays, which demand actors project their voices and emotions, this performance was subtle, internal, and quiet. While there’s a lot of dialogue, it doesn’t feel like a play; instead, the words are presented as a flowing, immersive experience for the audience.

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Although photographer Peter Hujar died nearly 40 years ago, his friend and subject, Rosenkrantz, is still living at age 91. Filmmaker Sachs reached out to her after reading her 2019 book, Peter Hujar’s Day, which features a complete transcript of a conversation they once had – a conversation previously believed to be lost, as the original recording is no longer available. Sachs initially contacted her via Instagram with a proposal to turn the book into a film.

Rosenkrantz quickly became a strong advocate for the project. According to Sachs, her frequent conversations with Rebecca were particularly beneficial, and she readily helped Rebecca with pronunciation and specific words. He describes her as kind and humble. Sachs also commended Hall’s portrayal of Rosenkrantz, noting that Rebecca brought both understanding and a proactive approach to listening, creating a dynamic performance. He believes the love Rebecca (as both herself and the character Linda) feels for Peter and Ben ultimately drives the story’s emotional core.

Unlike his co-star, the actor playing Hujar wasn’t able to meet the real man. Very little video of Hujar exists, but that didn’t deter the actor, who fully dedicated himself to understanding the role. He immersed himself in research, reading numerous essays and accounts from people who knew Hujar. He also visited the Morgan Library & Museum in New York, where he examined photos, documents, and even personal items like Hujar’s wallet and camera.

Having previously collaborated on ‘Passages,’ Whishaw and Sachs thankfully had some recordings of Hujar to draw from. There’s a particularly moving clip of Hujar and David Wojnarowicz discussing the essence of being an artist – it was captured shortly before Hujar tragically passed away from AIDS-related illness in 1987. But the real discovery for Sachs was a truly bizarre tape. As he told me, he unearthed a recording of Hujar actually hypnotizing himself to quit smoking at the Morgan Library! It was a complete surprise, and honestly, a fascinating find.

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The film is deeply rooted in the artistic history of New York City, having been filmed at Westbeth Artists Housing – a unique complex providing affordable live-and-work spaces for artists. As director Sachs explains, Westbeth has a rich past, having been home to influential figures like dancer Merce Cunningham and photographer Diane Arbus. Access to the building was crucial to the film’s creation. The filmmakers spent weeks studying how the space changed with the time of day and different locations, using stand-ins to understand its impact. Ultimately, a series of still photographs formed the basis of the movie.

What’s truly striking is how naturally Whishaw and Hall connected with the material and made it feel personal. Whishaw explains that after a lot of preparation, they let go and allowed what resonated to come through. He aimed to find a balance between understanding the character of Peter Hujar and bringing his own authenticity to the role. The performance needed to feel genuine and unforced, like a real connection between him and Rebecca – that was the key to making it compelling.

Whishaw explains that the film Day came about through his and Sachs’s friendly discussions and shared artistic tastes. He notes that filmmaking can sometimes be limiting for actors, making them feel uncreative. However, he feels Sachs treats actors as creative partners, fostering a collaborative and open environment where everyone’s input is valued.

Peter Hujar’s Day opens in UK cinemas on 2nd January 2026.

Authors

Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona writes about movies for TopMob, covering new releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. He’s been with the site since October 2019, and during that time, he’s interviewed many famous actors and reviewed films of all kinds.

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2026-01-01 10:35