Título: Gus Van Sant
Seção: 1990-1995: Indie and arthouse success
Background: Van Sant was born in Louisville, Kentucky, the son of Betty (nee Seay) and Gus Green Van Sant, Sr; Gus's father was a clothing manufacturer and traveling salesman who rapidly worked his way into middle class prosperity, holding executive marketing positions that included being president of the White Stag Manufacturing Company's Apparel Operation. As a result of his father's job, the family moved continually during Van Sant's childhood. His paternal family is of partial Dutch origin; the name "Van Sant" is derived from the Dutch name "Van Zandt".

Conteúdo: Drugstore Cowboy's exploration of the lives of those living on society's outer fringes, as well as its Portland setting, were mirrored in Van Sant's next effort, the similarly acclaimed My Own Private Idaho (1991). Only with the success of Cowboy was Van Sant now given license to make Idaho (a film he had originally pitched but was knocked back several times as the script was deemed 'too risky' by studios). Now New Line Cinema had given Van Sant the green light, he was on a mission to get the Idaho script to his first choices for his two young leads. After months of struggle with agents and managers over the content of the script, Van Sant finally secured River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves in the roles of Mike Waters and Scott Favor. Centering around the dealings of two male hustlers (played by Phoenix and Reeves), the film was a compelling examination of unrequited love, alienation, and the concept of family (a concept Van Sant repeatedly explores in his films). The film won him an Independent Spirit Award for his screenplay (he had won the same award for his Drugstore Cowboy screenplay), as well as greater prestige. The film also gained River Phoenix best actor honors at the Venice Film Festival among others. In addition, it helped Reeves--previously best known for his work in the Bill and Ted movies--to get the critical respect that had previously eluded him.  Van Sant's next film, a 1993 adaptation of Tom Robbins' Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, was an excessive flop, both comme

user: what was a movie he made in this style

assistant: Drugstore Cowboy's exploration of the lives of those living on society's outer fringes, as well as its Portland setting, were mirrored in Van Sant's next effort,

user: when was it released

assistant: acclaimed My Own Private Idaho (1991).

user: did he make any other films

assistant: license to make Idaho (a film he had originally pitched but was knocked back several times as the script was deemed 'too risky' by studios).

user: was Idaho a sucess

assistant: The film won him an Independent Spirit Award for his screenplay (he had won the same award for his Drugstore Cowboy screenplay), as well as greater prestige.

user: what else did he do

assistant: Van Sant's next film, a 1993 adaptation of Tom Robbins' Even Cowgirls Get the Blues,

user: did he win any awards

assistant: The film won him an Independent Spirit Award for his screenplay

user: was that his only award

assistant: The film also gained River Phoenix best actor honors at the Venice Film Festival among others.

user: what was his most famous movie

assistant: Van Sant's 1995 film To Die For helped to restore his luster.

user: did he have any well known cast in his movies

assistant: starred Nicole Kidman as a murderously ambitious weather girl; it also stars Matt Dillon as her hapless husband and, the third Phoenix sibling

user: how was it reviewed

assistant: its success paved the way for further projects of the director's choosing.