Film

Film maker Gus Van Sant. After years as an independent film maker in Portland, Oregon, and one full-length movie ("Mala Noche"), Van Sant has just finished "Drugstore Cowboy," starring Matt Dillon about a junkie trying to maintain his habit.

Writer Lawrence Grobel (pronounced gro-BEL). Grobel has just written "The Hustons," a profile of the film industry's most famous dynasty. The book centers around actor and director John Huston, but also follows the lives his father Walter and his daughter Anjelica, a trio that represents three generations of Oscar winners. For the book, Grobel conducted more than 200 interviews with the Hustons, the friends, enemies, and associates.

Actor and director Alan Arkin. Arkin began his career with Chicago's Second City improv group.

Actor and director Kenneth Branagh (rhymes with "Savanah"). Branagh has just made a new film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry the Fifth," with himself in the title role. Branagh was born in Northern Ireland, studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, spent two years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as acting, managing, and directing other groups and working on several BBC productions. The new "Henry the 5th" also stars Derek Jacobi, Paul Scofield and Ian Holm.

Actor Matthew Modine. He plays an arrogant first-year medical student in the new movie, "Gross Anatomy." Modine's earlier films include "Birdy," "Full Metal Jacket," and "Married to the Mob."

Actor Harry Carey, Jr. He was a member of John Ford's stock company, with roles in such films as "Three Godfathers," "Rio Grande," and "Red River."

Film director Bill Forsyth. He's the first Scottish director to make internationally successful films, including "Gregory's Girl," "Local Hero," and "Comfort and Joy." His latest film, "Breaking In," has a screenplay by John Sayles and stars Burt Reynolds as a professional safecracker.

Film director Harold Becker. His latest film is the steamy thriller "Sea of Love," starring Al Pacino. He also directed James Woods in the 1979 film "The Onion Field," a terrifying portrayal of a policeman's murder.

Film director Arthur Penn. Penn's latest film is "Penn and Teller Get Killed." His previous movies include "Bonnie and Clyde," "Little Big Man," "The Miracle Worker," "Alice's Restaurant," and "The Missouri Breaks."

Writer Thomas McGuane. McGuane's been called "Ernest Hemingway with a sense of humor ... (and) ... Franz Kafka journeying through Montana. He's the author of the acclaimed novels The Sporting Club, Ninety-Two In The Shade, and To Skin A Cat. McGuane's new novel is called Keep The Change. It follows a self-despising artist as he travels to Montana to try to make a new life for himself. McGuane himself runs a ranch in Montana.