Gus Van Sant
An Unauthorized Biography

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Book Presentation:
Enigmatic, retiring, and openly gay, Gus Van Sant is one of the best-known independent filmmakers. An active and honored director for two decades, noted for his rapport with actors, Van Sant nevertheless remains aloof from Hollywood, preferring to live and write in Portland, OR. Extensively researched and based on interviews with the director, Gus Van Sant examines his career from the inauspicious debut Mala Noche to the haunting Drugstore Cowboy; from the angst-ridden My Own Private Idaho and the mainstream black comedy To Die For to the Oscar-nominated Good Will Hunting and the high-profile Finding Forrester. Van Sant remains committed to exploring themes of the outsider and presenting an idiosyncratic vision in an unobtrusive but compelling style. Equally important, under Van Sant's guidance many actors (Matt Dillon, River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Nicole Kidman, Matt Damon, and acclaimed newcomer Robert Brown, whom Van Sant discovered) have done their best work. The first full-length biography of the Oscar nominated director, author Parish has interviewed Van Sant exclusively for this book.
Press Reviews:
"...recommended to aspiring filmmakers, lovers of biographies, and those interested in the entertainment industry at both public and academic libraries." -- Elizabeth Stifter, Library Journal
"The book is not a gossipy expose . . . this is a flattering portrait of the man . . . it's a quick and enjoyable read." -- Stephen Blair, Portland Tribune
"You're likely to close this book regarding [Van Sant] as both admirable and puzzling." -- Dennis Drabelle, The Washington Post online
See the publisher website: Da Capo Press
See the complete filmography of Gus Van Sant on the website: IMDB ...
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