Today's topic of discussion.

[hackthis_archive]

In today's Variety there's an article on Brokeback Mountain, one of many that have come out over the last few months and which will doubtlessly be followed by many more. I mention this because in reading it this comment caught my eye,


I don't believe they would have ever allowed an openly queer director to make this movie, nor do I believe that actors of this calibre would have signed on. In a long line of ironic outcomes, it took these guys [Jake Gyllenhaal & Heath Ledger] with impeccable heterosexual credentials to make this kind of breakthrough.
-Critic and author B. Ruby Rich

Do you lot agree with that?

Discuss.

Comments

[phoenixw.livejournal.com]

I agree with the second caller - the movie would not have been seen. Not only would distribution not be available for a director not of Ang Lee's calibre, but the viewing public is way less likely to attend a film marketed as a "gay" love story. I think they are more likely to trust Lee - a director who has brougth them heterosexual love onscreen - to present them with something that may not offend their delicate sensibilities. It's fine line he's walking. Trying not to dilute the story - which really is all about homosexual love - and yet make a film that will appeal to a mainstream audience.

I hope he's successful. He's in a good position to subvert the dominant paradigm.