Introduction to a Legendary Filmmaker
Gus van Sant, a two-time Oscar-nominated director known for his work on films like Good Will Hunting, Milk, and Drugstore Cowboy, has been awarded this year’s Campari Passion for Film Award at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.
The Campari Passion for Film Award
This prestigious honor recognizes film experts whose creative work reflects a deep and permanent passion for cinema. Unlike a lifetime achievement award, the Campari Passion for Film Award celebrates the artistic vision and drive to leave a lasting impression on filmic storytelling.
Receiving the Honor
Van Sant will receive the honor in Venice on September 2, coinciding with the screening of his latest thriller, Dead Man’s Hand, starring Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Colman Domingo, Cary Elwes, Myha’la, and Al Pacino.
Reaction to the Award
"I feel really honored to receive the Passion for Film Award," said Van Sant in a statement. "My heart goes out to Campari for this recognition – it means a lot to me. I am grateful not only for your recognition of my work but also for your support of one of the great institutions of cinema exhibition and celebration in the world. It is a privilege to be part of this tradition, and I deeply appreciate the passion that you bring to film."
A Unique Filmmaker
The artistic director of the Venice Film Festival, Alberto Barbera, described Van Sant as a "unique filmmaker in the landscape of contemporary cinema" and noted his ability to switch between mainstream and arthouse filmmaking while maintaining a unique creative identity. "He has made films that have permanently shaped the collective imagination," said Barbera, citing Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho, Elephant, and Milk. "As a discoverer of talent, he has launched the careers of actors such as River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Casey Affleck, Joaquin Phoenix, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon."
Career Highlights
Van Sant is a legendary figure in American independent cinema since the 1980s, known for switching between minimalist and experimental cinema and more mainstream fare, always focusing on characters on the fringes of society struggling with addiction, trauma, or alienation. After his debut Mala Noche, he gained international attention with Drugstore Cowboy and secured his critical reputation with My Own Private Idaho, which competed in Venice in 1991.
Notable Works
His 1997 feature Good Will Hunting, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, picked up 9 Oscar nominations and won two. His 2008 biopic Milk received eight Oscar nominations, including victories for actor Sean Penn and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. His more experimental feature Elephant (2003), a slow-burning look at a school shooting in response to the Columbine massacre, won the Palme d’Or for Best Film and Best Director in Cannes.
Latest Feature
His latest feature, Dead Man’s Hand, tells the story of the hostage situation involving Anthony G. "Tony" Kiritsis, a former real estate developer who wired a shotgun to his neck in a confrontation with a mortgage banker.
Past Winners
Past winners of the Campari Passion for Film Award include editor Bob Murawski, cinematographer Luca Bigazzi, composer Terence Blanchard, and production designers Tonino Zera and Paola Comencini.
The 82nd Venice Film Festival
The 82nd Venice Film Festival will take place from August 27 to September 9, celebrating the best in international cinema and honoring the passion and creativity of filmmakers like Gus van Sant.
