may contain original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding references. Statements consisting only of original research may be removed. More details may be available on the talk page. (February 2011) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2011) Gus Van Sant Van Sant at a screening of Paranoid Park, December 2007 Born Gus Green Van Sant, Jr. July 24, 1952 (1952-07-24) (age 58) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. Occupation Film director Years active 1982 - present Gus Green Van Sant, Jr. (born July 24, 1952) is an American director, screenwriter, photographer, musician, and author. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Achievement in Directing for his 1997 film Good Will Hunting and his 2008 film Milk, and won the Palme d'Or at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival for his film Elephant. He lives in Portland, Oregon..