A strong contender for the title of one of the most sensual romantic films in recent cinema, Call Me by Your Name tells a story of first love set in 1980s Italy. Over the years, a number of filming stories and behind-the-scenes details have emerged — this time, I’ve chosen five of them.
1. The production
Filming began on 11 May 2016 in Crema, Italy, and wrapped on 20 June 2016.
The entire shoot took place within a relatively short window, dictated by the season and the story’s summer setting.
2. A major cast change
In September 2015, James Ivory told The New York Times Style Magazine that he was planning to direct an adaptation of André Aciman’s novel Call Me by Your Name, with Shia LaBeouf set to play Oliver.
Although LaBeouf’s screen tests were reportedly strong, plans changed after Luca Guadagnino took over as director. The production ultimately decided not to move forward with LaBeouf, citing concerns related to the actor’s well-publicised personal difficulties.
3. First meeting
Armie Hammer first met Timothée Chalamet while Chalamet was in the middle of a piano lesson. Soon after, Chalamet took Hammer on a bike ride around Crema — echoing the moment in the film when Elio shows Oliver around town.
In several interviews, both actors said that the atmosphere seen on screen closely reflected their real-life experience of being in Crema. While most people around them worked during the day and enjoyed their evenings off, Timothée and Armie spent much of their free time together: drinking espresso, going out to dinner, watching films, listening to music, and hanging out in their hotel rooms.
They grew very close during those weeks in Italy and have often spoken about the ease and naturalness of that early connection.
“It was a real closeness that our souls felt for each other in those early weeks,” Chalamet recalls. “The friendship developed very easily, very naturally, very organically. It really felt like random luck of the universe.”
4. One rehearsal only
Despite the film’s intimate scenes, there was only one rehearsal before shooting. In multiple interviews, Chalamet and Hammer have explained that Luca Guadagnino asked them one day to step outside for a rehearsal in the villa’s backyard.
They walked onto a patch of grass and opened their scripts to a randomly chosen scene. The page read simply: “Elio and Oliver roll around in the grass making out.”
They looked at each other and said, “Alright, let’s go!”
Moments into the scene, Guadagnino encouraged them to be more passionate — and then quietly walked away. The actors continued until crew members eventually had to step in and pull them apart.
This turned out to be their only rehearsal.
5. Beard problems
The film’s tender love scenes were not without physical challenges. Quite literally, the kissing scenes had to be re-shot several times because Hammer’s stubble irritated Chalamet’s face.
Small details like this added an unexpected layer of discomfort to moments that appear effortless and gentle on screen.
Read the follow-up: 5+1 More Interesting Facts About Call Me by Your Name