Paranoid Park (2007)

Paranoid Park, expands upon the director’s obsession with teenage boys, creating a compelling portrait of the alienation and isolation of the high school experience. The film centers around a seemingly typical teenage “skater type” (Gabe Nevins) who becomes involved in the mysterious intrigue surrounding the death of a high school security guard. Nevins becomes conflicted and paranoid as he is pursued by the main investigator of the crime, detective Richard Lu (Daniel Liu). Van Sant’s meditative and perplexing tale takes place in Portland, Oregon, traversing throughout the area’s empty parking lots and seedy back alleys.