Death and the College Student

Death and the College Student poster

In what appears to be a college dorm room, Okiishi delivers a freewheeling presentation on the martyrdoms of James Dean and especially of River Phoenix, tortured film stars who became queer icons in their untimely deaths. Readings are interspersed with half-reenacted scenes from My Own Private Idaho (1991), Gus Van Sant’s classic of New Queer Cinema; and from The Matrix (1999), the blockbuster fantasy starring Keanu Reeves -- object of gay desire in Van Sant’s film, now in the role of action star and messianic hero.

Director: Ken Okiishi
Runtime: 32 min
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Ken Okiishi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Death and the College Student about?
In what appears to be a college dorm room, Okiishi delivers a freewheeling presentation on the martyrdoms of James Dean and especially of River Phoenix, tortured film stars who became queer icons in their untimely deaths. Readings are interspersed with half-reenacted scenes from My Own Private Idaho (1991), Gus Van Sant’s classic of New Queer Cinema; and from The Matrix (1999), the blockbuster fantasy starring Keanu Reeves -- object of gay desire in Van Sant’s film, now in the role of action star and messianic hero.
Who directed Death and the College Student?
Death and the College Student was directed by Ken Okiishi.
How long is Death and the College Student?
Death and the College Student has a runtime of 32m (32 minutes).