Gus Van Sant Explains Why 'Trying to Go Back' Doesn't Work — Nearly 40 Years After His Directorial Debut

In celebration of Trick's 25th anniversary and inclusion in the Criterion Collection, I spoke to the writer, director and star.

While reflecting on his 1991 movie My Own Private Idaho, Gus Van Sant explained that an ACT UP activist convinced River Phoenix to play gay

I was 18 the first time I saw Milk, watching in bed with an older guy I had no business dating after recently coming out in my...