Gus Van Sant, master filmmaker with an eye for the human condition Who better than Gus Van Sant to capture the essence of an era, observe it, and present it to us? Who reconciles classic film enthusiasts and casual moviegoers so seamlessly? Who has so beautifully and poetically portrayed the struggles of homosexual individuals when no one else dared to? Who has delicately followed the turmoil of teenage distress? Who has always shown those who are often overlooked? The director strikes again with “La corde au cou” (The Rope Around the Neck), based on the true story of Tony Kiritsis from Indianapolis, who took his broker hostage in front of local police and media, leaving everyone in shock.
The translation of this interview is provided by Marguerite Cappelle.
Dacre Montgomery (as Richard Hall) and Bill Skarsgard (as Tony Kiritsis) in “La corde au cou” by Gus Van Sant – ©ARP – Stefania Rosini
“La corde au cou”, a gripping true crime story Gus Van Sant admits to sometimes being obsessed with noir fiction: “I think having seen that dark cinema from the 50s is something that personally intrigued me.” His latest film, “La corde au cou,” falls into the “noir” genre and will be screened at the opening of the Reims Polar Festival. It is inspired by a real crime, not exactly a noir film, but more of a ‘true crime’ style, based on real events similar to what is seen in TV shows.
The Story In 1977, Indianapolis, a man named Tony Kiritsis, financially ruined, takes his broker’s adult son hostage, demanding $5 million and above all, an apology. “Tony confronts this society of bank loans, and the public supports him.” The hostage situation lasted 63 hours, documented live by local TV, creating continuous coverage much like the events of 9/11 a few years later.
70s Aesthetic For Gus Van Sant’s true crime film about this notorious incident in Indianapolis, he drew inspiration from the original documentary about Tony Kiritsis. It had a 70s atmosphere with beautiful colors unique to the camera equipment of that time. Van Sant recalls his twenties during the incident, living between Beverly Hills and Hollywood Boulevard, living and breathing cinema amidst a backdrop of major historical events.
More information and news: – “La Corde au cou,” directed by Gus Van Sant, featuring Bill Skarsgard, Dacre Montgomery, Al Pacino, Colman Domingo, and Myha’la, will hit theaters on April 15, 2026. – The film will have a preview screening on March 31 at the opening of the 6th edition of the Reims Polar Festival. – Gus Van Sant will be the guest of honor at the festival, showcasing several of his films and giving a special cinema lesson on April 1.
Audio Clips: – Trailer of “La Corde au cou” by Gus Van Sant – Actual phone call from Tony Kristis to the Indiana police on February 8, 1977 – Closing song: “Raindrops keep falling on my head” by B.J Thomas
