Acclaimed Director Gus Van Sant Reflects on Filmmaking and Losing Collaborators

Acclaimed director Gus Van Sant, known for films like "Drugstore Cowboy" and "Good Will Hunting," has returned with his latest work, "Dead Man's Wire." The historical true-crime drama, based on the real-life 1977 Tony Kiritsis hostage case, premiered at the AFI Film Festival last month.

In a wide-ranging interview, Van Sant discusses his fascination with real American tragedy and absurdity, which has often served as the foundation for his fictional films. He recalls his collaboration with the late River Phoenix, who loved when unexpected moments happened on set, as they could "feel his character reacting in real time."

Van Sant's direction in "Dead Man's Wire" has been praised as both intimate and explosive, framing the chaos with empathy and allowing the audience to feel the pulse of desperation behind every decision. The film's screenplay, adapted from real events by first-time screenwriter Austin Kolodney, is infused with humanism and dark wit, standing as one of the year's finest.

As Van Sant looks back on his four-decade-long career, he remains nostalgic about the creative chaos of filmmaking, embracing the "accidents" that can bring a character to life. With "Dead Man's Wire," the acclaimed director has delivered his most arresting and charged work since "Milk," cementing his reputation as a master of capturing the ragged edge between empathy and obsession.