Gus Van Sant: An Unauthorized Biography
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Book Overview
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.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:1560253371
ISBN13:9781560253372
Release Date:December 2001
Publisher:Da Capo Press
Length:320 Pages
Weight:1.40 lbs.
Dimensions:9.5" x 1.3" x 6.5"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
An Excellent Overview of Gus Van Sant's Life and Work
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
This comprehensive examination of Gus Van Sant's life and work is a valuable resource for both scholars and admirers. Highly recommended!
Another winner from Mr. Parish
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
This is a fascinating book about one of the best (relatively)young directors working. As usual, Mr. Parish has done his homework. The background material is great and helps give a really vivid picture of the person. I really feel I got to know Mr. Van Sandt from reading this book, not only him, but his family and associates growing up. The descriptions of his early works are especially interesting. Mr. Parish is one of the most thorough writers when it comes to work credits of his subjects. I also enjoy this section of his books. I definitely recommend this book.
Superb Parish
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Parish does it again. I've been a big fan of Jim Parish's cinematic oeuvre of literature for 20 years. He has tackled film genres, biographies and anything with his name on it I will buy. His "Van Sant" bio is terrific and covers a career that hasn't had much coverage to date.If you can find Mr. Parish's incredible "The Swashbucklers" you have a great weekend read in store. After 100 books, you would think Parish would be tired but his two recent works proves he is as fresh as ever and on the top of his game.
Parish Does A Fine Job
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
James Robert Parish is one of the most prolific and knowledgeable film historians and writers around today, and his book on Van Sant lives up to his high standards of writing and research. Van Sant is an interesting character, going from art house (Mala Noche) to mainstream favorites (Good Will Hunting). This is definately a must-read for anyone who wants to know more about Van Sant and the movie making business of today.
A must-read Biography for Entertainment Fans
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
For those film fans that loved Finding Forrester and Good Will Hunting this biography of their director, Gus Van Sant is a must. The author illuminates how William Burroughs, the iconoclastic drug generation author, has influenced this mainstream director, and how his life in Portland, Oregon, has helped shaped his views of life. With unstinting detail, Parish clarifies how Van Sant's gay lifestyle has a part to play in his artistic endeavors (this director is also a published author, a poet and song-writer, as well as a sculptor). Entertainingly written, this book is a necessity for anyone interested in the film scene in America today.
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