“It’s a real pleasure to be here,” said the director of “To Die For” (1995). “San Miguel is the place where Neal Cassady (writer of the beat generation) one of my cultural idols died. I just discovered it when I arrived. I did not know it until someone here told me. He had a very strong personality, and I never met him, but people who met him here say he was a heavy drinker, and he was probably a trouble maker too… but one hell of a writer, “said Gus Van Sant.
Van Sant was handed the Silver Cross by Sarah Hoch, director of the Guanajuato Film Festival, who told him: : “When we started the festival, in 1992, the movie industry was not doing so well in Mexico. We were going through difficult times, and we decided to have this badge that says: “More cinema please”. And tonight you are here Gus, you are a living legend who inspire young filmmakers. “
The weather became Van Sant’s ally. When the feature presentation of his movie “Good Will Hunting” (1997) the rain suddenly stopped. “It was probably one of the best films for my team because it was the one that made more money,” said the filmmaker.
Gus Van Sant returned to his place accompanied by Sarah Hoch with his prize in hand, and sitting there with all the other attendees, the cinematographer watched the movie that made him famous in Hollywood.
San Miguel Times Newsroom