Colman Domingo Gets Emotional, Leads ‘Gus!’ Chant as Gus Van Sant’s ‘Dead Man’s Wire’ Earns 11-Minute Venice Ovation

Colman Domingo got misty-eyed as Gus Van Sant’s new film, the hostage thriller “Dead Man’s Wire,” electrified Venice with an 11-minute ovation on Tuesday. Domingo, who features in the ‘70s-set film as a smooth radio DJ who becomes a key component in a hostage negotiation, also led the crowd in chants of “Gus! Gus! Gus!” as Van Sant looked on with pride.

The hostage thriller stars Bill Skarsgård as an aspiring small-town entrepreneur-turned-outlaw folk hero. As was revealed in the film’s press conference earlier on Tuesday, Skarsgård was unable to make it to the premiere because he is in production on a new film.

Directed by Van Sant and written by Austin Kolodney, “Dead Man’s Wire” depicts the real-life 1977 hostage situation carried out by Tony Kiritsis (Skarsgård), who kidnapped his bank mortgager and then demanded $5 million, no charges or prosecution, and a personal apology for wronging him. Dacre Montgomery, Colman Domingo, Myha’la, Cary Elwes, John Robinson and Al Pacino round out the cast of the film, which is screening out of competition.

Van Sant, a pillar of American independent film, is best known for “My Own Private Idaho,” Sean Penn-led historical drama “Milk” and “Good Will Hunting,” which launched the careers of then-20somethings Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

For those contributions to cinema and others, the 73-year-old filmmaker, prior to the “Dead Man’s Wire” screening, was also honored with the Campari Passion for Film Award at the premiere. Venice Film Festival chief Alberto Barbera described Van Sant as a “unique filmmaker” with a deeply independent perspective [and] remarkable ability to connect with audiences.”

“His cinema moves freely between the Hollywood system and the circuits of cinéma d’essai,” Barbera said in a statement prior to the festival, “engaging with industry rules without ever being constrained by them, and remaining true to a bold and ever-evolving personal vision.”