Gus Van Sant Premieres True-Crime Comeback Film 'Dead Man's Wire' at AFI Festival

Gus Van Sant is making a cinematic comeback with his 2025 film "Dead Man's Wire," which is based on the true 1977 hostage case involving kidnapper Tony Kiritsis. Van Sant, known for films like "Good Will Hunting" and "Milk," has always been drawn to stories rooted in real events, focusing on what drives people to act as they do. The film, influenced by the 2018 documentary "Dead Man's Line," depicts Kiritsis holding his mortgage broker hostage with a rigged shotgun, creating a tense and dramatic scenario. Van Sant was captivated by the fast-paced script and the complexity of Kiritsis's character, which includes listening to real 911 calls embedded in the screenplay. The production began quickly, with shooting planned in Louisville, and the film premiered at the AFI Film Festival, drawing parallels to contemporary events and highlighting Van Sant's continued interest in human behavior and unexpected moments in filmmaking. This project marks Van Sant's return to feature films after a seven-year hiatus, during which he continued directing television episodes and maintaining his focus on authentic storytelling.