Gus Van Sant: Algebra and Tenderness in New Cahiers du Cinéma Monograph
A new monograph focusing on filmmaker Gus Van Sant has been released by Stéphane Bouquet and Jean-Marc Lalanne through Éditions Cahiers du cinéma. The book encapsulates Van Sant's journey with the equation "3 x 4 + 1 = GVS," denoting three cycles of four films each, plus the notable Harvey Milk. Each cycle illustrates a distinct "posture" in American cinema: as an auteur from Mala Noche (1985) to Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993), a craftsman from To Die For (1995) to Finding Forrester (2000), and as an artist on the fringe from Gerry (2002) to Paranoid Park (2007). The authors emphasize the theme of "douceur" (tenderness) throughout these transitions, particularly in Van Sant's Psycho remake, where he refrains from dominating the narrative, allowing actors to shape their characters' fates.
Key facts
- Monograph on Gus Van Sant by Stéphane Bouquet and Jean-Marc Lalanne published by Éditions Cahiers du cinéma.
- Book proposes formula '3 x 4 + 1 = GVS' to describe Van Sant's career: three cycles of four films plus Harvey Milk.
- First cycle: Mala Noche (1985) to Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993), including Drugstore Cowboy and My Own Private Idaho.
- Second cycle: To Die For (1995) to Finding Forrester (2000), including Good Will Hunting and Psycho.
- Third cycle: Gerry (2002) to Paranoid Park (2007), including Elephant and Last Days.
- Central concept: 'douceur' (tenderness) as a form of distance and deconstruction of masculine norms.
- Van Sant's Psycho remake omits a painted lake shot that Hitchcock used to assert directorial mastery.
- From Gerry onward, Van Sant adopts a collective approach, letting actors shape their characters ('Let the boys play').
Entities
Artists
- Gus Van Sant
- Stéphane Bouquet
- Jean-Marc Lalanne
- Gregg Araki
- Todd Haynes
- Rose Troche
- Alfred Hitchcock
Institutions
- Éditions Cahiers du cinéma
Sources
- artpress —