Posted on 01/10/2006 4:34:06 PM PST by presidio9
HOT Oscar tip Heath Ledger yesterday compared US bans on his gay cowboy film to racism. Critics' Choice Awards Picture Gallery
Ledger said he was not surprised a Utah cinema had banned Brokeback Mountain, which depicts a lifelong love affair between two Montana cowboys. "I heard a while ago that West Virginia was going to ban it. But that's a state that was lynching people only 25 years ago, so that's to be expected," Ledger said.
"Personally, I don't think the movie is (controversial) but I think maybe the Mormons in Utah do. I think it's hilarious and very immature of a society.
"If two people are loving . . . I think we should be more concerned if two people express anger in love, than love."
Ledger was in Melbourne last night with his partner and Brokeback Mountain co-star Michelle Williams, and their daughter, Matilda, for the local premiere.
"She's (Matilda) been a big hit, had a big opening weekend and there'll probably be a sequel," Ledger said on the red carpet.
Ledger has been nominated for Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards for his performance and is tipped to be an Oscar nominee.
He earlier said he was "incredibly proud" of the film, but awards were the last thing on his mind when he was making the film.
"If you're thinking ahead and about people's opinions or how the film's going to be judged later it will affect the decisions you make on camera," he said earlier.
While filming the love story with co-star Jake Gyllenhaal, Ledger was falling for on-screen wife Michelle Williams.
"It was obviously a very personal, beautiful kind of evolving life and love that was occurring off-set, and then we'd go to work," he said.
Ledger arrived home in Sydney eight days ago but said its paparazzi would make it impossible to live there for good.
One photographer has alleged Ledger's uncle spat on him a claim Ledger denies.
Of the paparazzi, he said: "It sucks, because it's only like it when I come back to Sydney. It's not like that here or in Brooklyn, where we live now." Brokeback Mountain, based on a short story by author Annie Proulx, opens on January 26.
Wow! Congratulations, Heath Ledger!!! You've just managed to completely alienate 2 entire U.S. states (and every Mormon on Earth) in one lame statement. Who says you have no talent?
I wonder why Heath thinks West Virginia was lynching people in the 80s? Did he even graduate high school?
I can answer that: Heath didn't grow up here. Like the rest of the world they get their ideas about what life is like in America from Hollywood. Which has a lot to do with why the rest of the world hates us. I hate most of the people I see in movies too.
I'm glad he never did anything for me in the first place. Lanky blonds aren't my thing.
Not necessarily. Playing gay didn't hurt the current Batman and Obi-wan Kenobi.
I heard that no sheep were harmed during the making of this movie. Anyone know if thats true? /sarc
Certainly didn't hurt Tom Hanks either. Before Philidelphia he was mostly known for being a drag queen and dating mermaids.
Make up your 'facts' when your debating position is weak. Heath Ledger is showing his ignorance in an article that is trying to applaud him.
He insulted the state of my ancestors from 1755 to 1948. He'll never get another box office dollar out of my pocket. I refuse to reward such juvinile behavior. He has a lot of maturing to do.
But Tom Hanks never did a scene where he jumped on another actor and "simulated" rear-end sexual acts, complete with moans and groans.
Hanks has some dignity.
In fairness, Hanks is IMO somewhat more talented than Ledger.
Hey, surprised to see ya on a thread about this . This only makes about the 98th BM thread, I think. LOL I'm just laughing about all the free publicity this thing has garnered. And, no, I don't intend on ever seeing it.
Please inform me about all the lynchings that supposedly occurred in West Virginia. I must've missed something, growing up in western PA. If you wanted good country music, you went to Wheeling, where a good time was had by all.
Yes, your point has been addressed by this and other threads Sipowitz. I wouldn't worry about too many people going to see this film because it was being discussed on FR.
"I was thinking about renting that, is it crappy?"
Well..Lets see here?...Its a movie about two queer sheepherders boar hogging each other up the A##, My guess would be "crappy" would be an apt description.
Don't kid yourself, SIPOWITZ.
Let me know when you come across the post saying "Now hold on justa minute fellas: You say there's this film out right now about a coupla gay cowboys? That's news to me!"
The question was about The Brothers Grimm, not Brokeback.
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