Gus Van Sant is renowned for his independent films, which are said to transcend its market and veer into the realm of established and multidimensional films.  In 1991, Van Sant wrote and directed the picture My Own Private Idaho.  Twenty years later, enthusiasts inhabit the Hollywood Theater waiting to hear James Franco and Gus Van Sant discuss their intentions and explorations with the film.  
   Van Sant began writing My Own Private Idaho in Los Angeles, creating characters based on the younger street kids he had observed.  As the movie script contrived and became multifaceted (loosely derived from various Orson Wells and Shakespeare works), he rekindled his project in Portland.  Scripts were sent out to two major actors—Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix, who both agreed to star in the film.  In viewing Van Sant’s film as a teenager, Franco identified himself with Phoenix’s character and aspired to acquire the original film in order to create his own rendition.  
   After staring in Van Sant’s film Milk (2008), Franco found himself editing My Own Private Idaho and transforming it into his own work, which he entitled My Own Private River.   Franco’s intent was not to recreate the existing narrative, but rather to “present [his] work as an exploration of Gus’ film.” (Franco) My Own Private River was then screened following an artist Q&A.  
   The distinction between Van Sant and Franco as artists became bluntly obvious after screening these two films.  In essence, Franco works primarily commercially, as opposed to Van Sant, who toils more independently as a filmmaker.  But most importantly, the Hollywood Theater was consumed with unfiltered ambition and immense respect for the art of filmmaking.