Gus Van Sant
Elephant
- DirectorGus Van Sant
- CinematographerHarris Savides
KASPER TUXEN I saw it at the end of film school. I had already had my eyes on Harris Savides, but this was turning things around for me. Letting scenes play out in long takes and using almost documentary-like lighting was an eye-opener that changed my approach to cinematography.
Storyline
Elephant, directed by Gus Van Sant, follows a seemingly ordinary day at an American high school through the eyes of different students - each with their own routines, friendships, and troubles. As the day unfolds, the overlapping perspectives gradually lead to a tragic and shocking school shooting, inspired by real-life events. The film uses long takes and minimal dialogue to create a haunting, observational portrait of everyday life interrupted by violence.
When Elephant premiered in 2003, it received both acclaim and controversy. Winning the Palme d’Or and Best Director at Cannes, it was praised for its long takes, understated style, and refusal to sensationalize violence. Many critics saw it as a haunting, poetic portrait of youth and alienation, while others criticized it as emotionally cold or too detached, especially given its parallels to real-life school shootings. The film sparked debate about art’s role in portraying tragedy, with some valuing its ambiguity and others wishing for clearer insights into the shooters’ motives.
