A moody trailer for Gus Van Sant’s Paranoid Park is now online. With its overcast display of non-actors, sexualized youth, skateboard imagery, and a voyeuristic tone, it bares a similarity to the territory that director Larry Clark, of Kids and Wassup Rockers fame, has mined for years on the indie circuit. The storyline of a “throw away kid” accidentally murdering a security guard even reminds me of Clark’s awesome Another Day in Paradise. Alas, Van Sant adapted his film from a novel by Blake Nelson that is set in the director’s hometown of Portland, Oregon. The titular, real life skate park can be found there as well. Portland is currently experiencing a boom in young trend setters, so who better than Van Sant to make it officially, yet tolerantly, chic?
Reviews for Paranoid Park have been pretty positive thus far, and you may not know that the film won the 60th Anniversary prize at last year’s Cannes film festival. It was also nominated for that festival’s Golden Palm. I’m remain forever dazzled by Van Sant’s Drugstore Cowboy and To Die For, but his recent films like Elephant and Last Days out mumble most films in the mumblecore genre and proved too fey for my tastes.
Next up for Van Sant is his Harvey Milk biopic Milk, with a cast that packs a wallop, including Sean Penn, Emile Hirsche, Josh Brolin and James Franco. Sounds like Van Sant might surface from the underground to kiss an Oscar before submerging once again. Paranoid Park is scheduled for a limited release in various metropolises this year, so if you’re an international reader who’s seen it, feel free to chime in.
Gus Van Sant’s Paranoid Park hits theaters on March 7th 2008.
January 10th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Well, I must admit I want to like Van Sant films, but have been disappointed! Elephant and Last Days bored me to death. The minimalist just doesn’t work for me. I think I will pass on this snoozer as well.
January 10th, 2008 at 9:17 am
It’s ok. I’ve seen it, prolly the weakest of his last three films (elephant, last days, gerry,).
January 10th, 2008 at 10:22 am
After his last two I figured I’d have no interest in this but the trailer looks cool and I’m a skater so that helps.
Drugstore Cowboy is one of my all time favs so I want to like his work so much.
January 10th, 2008 at 10:53 am
When I wrote this post, I forgot that at one time Van Sant listed his top ten movies as “Larry Clark’s Kids, Larry Clark’s Kids….and Larry Clark’s Kids.” He also produced the seminal NYC youth culture run amok film.
January 10th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I got to see this at the NYC Film Fest in October. Personally, I loved it. I’m a big fan of his newest work (death trilogy). But I felt Gerry was the weakest of the bunch, even including this one. I felt this was a bit strong great new stuff. Cant wait for milk.
January 10th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
seems boring