Gus Green van Sant, Jr.   [1952]

Stage/Screen Director/Producer

Gus Van Sant is a man of many artistic abilities. He is not only a highly regarded American film director, but he is also a screenwriter, a photographer, a musician and an author. He was nominated twice for an Academy Award for Achievement in Directing, in 1997 for the film “Goodwill Hunting”, and in 2008 for the film “Milk”. Although he did not win the Academy Awards in those two nominations, he did win directing awards for the two films from other organizations. In 2003, he won the Palme d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival for the film “Elephant”.

Van Sant was born in Louisville. Kentucky on July 24, 1952. His parents were Gus Green Van Sant, Sr. and Betty Seay Van Sant. His father was a clothing manufacturer and travelling salesman. His parents were able to send him to a private school, The Catlin Gabel School, in Portland, Oregon. It was during his time in this school that he developed his artistic interests in painting and film making. His artistic interests led him to the Rhode Island School of Design in 1970, as an 18 year old. One of the avant-garde directors Van Sant was introduced to at that time was Andy Warhol.

Following his college years, and after spending some time in Europe, Van Sant ended up in Los Angeles in 1976. He was able to find employment in the film sector as a production assistant to Ken Shapiro. In 1981, Van Sant made his first film, “Alice in Hollywood”. Apparently, the film was not great because it was never released. That experience was not encouraging to any beginning aspirant artist. So in 1983, he decided to get a job in a New York advertising agency. During the next two years he was able to save $20,000, which enabled him to finance his next film, “Mala Noche”, in 1985. “Mala Noche” was a success, and the Los Angeles Times named it the year’s Best Independent Film.

In the late 1980’s Van Sant moved back to his native city, Portland, Oregon, and began making films with the independent production company, “Avenue”. This produced Van Sant’s 1989 film, “Drug Store Cowboy”. The film was a great success, and made Van Sant a recognized director, which would assure him of future financial support for his film making endeavors.

During the 1990’s, Van Sant made “My Own Private Idaho” in 1991, “Even Cowgirls Get The Blues”, in 1993, “To Die For”, in 1995, “Good Will Hunting”, in 1997, and “Psycho”, in 1998. Two of the five films received wide acclaim. They were, “My Own Private Idaho” and “Good Will Hunting”.

In the following decade Van Sant continued his film output with “Finding Forrester” in 2000, “Gerry” in 2002, “Elephant” in 2003, “Last Days” in 2005, “Paranoid Park” in 2007, and “Milk” in 2008. This last decade was definitely the best for Van Sant. Each one of the six films produced during this decade received wide acclaim.

Of the 13 feature films Van Sant made during hisfilm making career, nine films produced special citations or awards. For “Drug Store Cowboy”, Van Sant received three Best Screenplay awards, and one Best Director award. The film “My Own Private Idaho” was a Venice film Festival Official Selection. “Good Will Hunting” was a Berlin Festival Official Selection, and also received two nominations for Best Director. “Elephant” was awarded the Cannes Film Festival “Palme d”Or” award and the “Prix de la Mise en Scene” award. “Last Days” was a Cannes Film Festival Official Selection. “Paranoid Park” won the Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director. And for “Milk” Van Sant was nominated by four different organizations for the Best Director award. And the Boston Society of Film Critics awarded the Best Director Award to Van Sant. So based on the above it becomes clear how Van Sant’s work as a film maker and director is appreciated by his peers around the world.

In addition to the above Van Sant has also produced 17 short films and 16 music videos. He has also served as an executive producer for “Kids” in 1995, “Speedway Junkie” in 1999, “Tarnation” in 2003, “Cam Archer’s Wild Tigers I Have Known” in 2006, and “Lightfield’s Home Videos” in 2006.

The name Van Sant is derived from the Dutch name of Van Zandt. Van Sant’s ancestor traces back to the early seventeenth century. The earliest Van Zandt arrived in the New Netherland area, around what is now New York City around that time. His name was Johannes Van Zandt.

 

 REFERENCES

Gus Van Sant, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gus_Van_Sant

Samuel Rinnah Van Sant, 15th Governor of Minnesota, 1901-1905,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Rinnah_Van_Sant

 

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