Gus Van Sant's Last Days

About Gus Van Sant's 'Last Days'

Gus Van Sant's 'Last Days' is a 2005 American drama film that is a fictionalized interpretation of the final days of a man resembling Kurt Cobain, the Nirvana frontman. It chronicles the lonely and beleaguered world of Blake, a successful musician coping with the pressures of fame. The film is an exploration of loneliness and the toll exacted by success.

Making / Production

Van Sant wrote and directed the film, taking inspiration from the documented accounts of Cobain's final days. His signature avant-garde style and nonlinear narrative structure gave the film its unique character. 'Last Days' was produced by HBO and distributed by Picturehouse.

Actors

• Michael Pitt as Blake. He brilliantly portrayed the isolated rock musician facing demons and beautifully captured Cobain's spirit.
• Lukas Haas as Luke. He played Blake's close friend and confidante, showcasing his ability to play complex characters.
• Asia Argento as Asia. She was cast as one of Blake’s associates, offering a supporting performance that added depth to the film.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• 'Last Days' is the last part of Van Sant’s 'Death Trilogy'—the previous two films being 'Gerry' and 'Elephant'.
• Courtney Love, Cobain’s widow, reportedly gave her blessing for the film, but she didn’t contribute to the project.
• Most of the dialogue in the film is improvised, maintaining the loose structure of the narrative.

Awards

The film was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, cementing Van Sant’s position as an arthouse filmmaker.

Quotes

• "I lost something, on the way to wherever I am today." - Blake
• "Let me in. It's like you're not safe with me." - Luke
• "You know, people need people." - Blake's recording

Music, Soundtrack

• 'Last Days' features a haunting original score by Rodrigo Lopresti.
• Additionally, the soundtrack includes songs by Velvet Underground, and surprisingly, a beautiful melody played by Blake himself.