Perspectives
The very married-with-children Ang Lee, the Taiwan-born director who made the current Hollywood hit “Brokeback Mountain” — which some pundits are calling “the gay cowboy movie” — recently told an interviewer about how he sees the differences in how Westerners view homosexuality and how Asians see it.
When it comes to attitudes about homosexuality, my personal theory is that Eastern culture is more relaxed than in the West. This stems from a difference in why a culture perceives homosexuality to be wrong — in Western culture, it stems from religion, and you are condemned if you are gay. Eastern culture seems more, flexible — and being gay is more of a social issue than a religious one; there is no God deity to offend. The West also seems to tolerate lesbians more than gays because it’s a very macho culture; homosexuality is not okay because it threatens this culture. — Ang Lee
If there are those who are opposed to the depiction of gay men having feelings just like the rest of us, well, then, it seems to me they’re the ones working to engage in propaganda measures, or at least censorship that meets their own sensibilities. There are, of course, those people who’d like to deny that some of the horrific things discussed in the film ever actually happen (not only do they happen, some have happened in the relatively recent past); far worse are those few who think those horrific things are deserved. If Brokeback Mountain can draw some attention in that regard alone, that’s all to the good.
Overall, the bottom line here is that, if you don’t want to see Brokeback Mountain, don’t go; if you do, don’t let those would-be censors stop you from seeing a very fine film.
FAMILY SUITABILITY: Brokeback Mountain is rated R for “sexuality, nudity, language, and some drug use.” I would agree that the subject matter is fairly mature and that a certain amount of maturity is needed to appreciate the overall impact of the story. But if you’ve heard stories about the “graphic homosexual sex” depicted in the film, let those go. I’d heard them too, and was quite surprised to find nothing of the kind. My best guess is that the R rating is in small part for a momentary view of a woman’s breasts, but is mostly because even the most conventional acts (kissing, for example) are given some sort of an added “forbidden” cachet when the characters involved are of the same sex. I’d say that Brokeback Mountain is okay for mature teens from about age 14 and up, and I recommend it highly for adults of all ages.
Lady Liberty is a graphic designer and pro-freedom activist currently residing in the USA. More of her writings and other political and educational information is available on her web site, Lady Liberty’s Constitution Clearing House, at http://www.ladylibrty.com. E-mail Lady Liberty at ladylibrty@ladylibrty.com.
January 3rd, 2006 at 10:13 amThe review is here.
January 3rd, 2006 at 10:15 amMatt Drudge http://www.drudgereport.com re “Brokeback Mountain” tried to scare the horses, if you will, with the alarmist tone of one headline that read “Hollywood Rocked: Gay Cowboy Movie Becomes an Oscar Frontrunner.” In the story itself, he ratcheted up rhetoric, describing the film as “arriving with nudity and explicit gay sex scenes” as if it were just one step short of a campfire orgy. To date, though, media attempts to turn “Brokeback” into a raging controversy haven’t really taken hold — the filmmakers, a dignified bunch, never rose to the bait, and the movie has been able to speak to itself.
January 3rd, 2006 at 11:41 amyeah I think i quite agree with this, the majority of English people uses this phrase “gay” in which when something sucks, or something is out of fashion etc. I think Asia dosent have this kinds of usage or sort…
January 3rd, 2006 at 3:15 pmAlso i feel this tendency to avoid being seen homo as much as possible, like they get really sensitive when people touch/pat the other, in Japan we pretty much have no problem with hitting each other in where people tends to keep it private (you know what i mean) but that dosent really mean that we’re gay, its just playing around sort of thing…
Takk
January 3rd, 2006 at 5:18 pmThink u R rite. The Christian-Jewish-Greek-Roman-Middle East religios stuff that the West people inherited makes homo into something evil and devilsh and anti-God and anti-Jesus, but they are wrong, gay is just another way of being human. You Buddha Shinto people have it right. Just a social issue there, not a god-danmn religious issue. Not that gays in China or Japan don’t face prejudice and bias and coming out of the closet issues, they do. But they are social issues, family issues, not religous crapola. The West will never recover, even though Jesus was likely gay himself. Don’t say, don’t tell.
To those of you in Japan and elsewhere: I cannot remember a time in 20 years or so, that I have been this involved in a movie. I actually had stopped going to see movies, they were so unsatisfying. It was my birthday 12-22–I just found out I had thyroid cancer- -and I sat transfixed with my 58 year old body, all alone in the theater, yet my head and heart were inside the screen. I got involved in every characters life. This has got to be the best movie perhaps I have ever seen. The acting is phenomenal-the scenery breathtaking and haunting-the story-oh I wish everyone got it–forget what anyone thinks about what you do or you will live the rest of your life sorry that you did not pursue your dreams. This isn’t just about relationships-if something makes you happy-let it make you happy-anything, anyone…because life is so short-you are the only one in your skin and your brain and your body….don’t let other peoples “rules” ruin your peace and the happiness that is in your soul. If you are happy wearing an ugly green hat that is beautiful to you-wear it everyday. Who cares what people think-it is what you feel and know deep inside of you that matters. I hope we all get that eventually-and hand it down to our young. If you miss this movie, you have deprived yourself of one of the best experiences that life will give you in a movie. I will more than likely see it again. I cannot get it out of my mind. Bring kleenex. This movie you will never forget.
January 8th, 2006 at 5:30 pmJapundit readers, let me tell you, that as a U.S. film critic for a univeristy press magazine, I had the opportunity to view this film 6 weeks ago…And after 6 weeks this film stills haunts me…Having read the short story, I was deeply impressed with the adaptation; the story seems to have stepped effortlessly off the pages and onto celluloid.
This smooth adaptation is due to the gifted hands of producer, Ang Lee and writers Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana. Everyone has hailed the writing–which is flawless, the acting–superb and unforgettable and the direction–but what is most profound about this film is the story. This is not only about a gaylove story or even just love thwarted–this film is about a much larger narrative: It is about the choices you make and how you negotiate life based on those choicest is a tale of what happens when you find someone that you fall inexplicably and irrevocably in love with, and then cannot express that lovehis is why the story resonates. It is universal yearning for love and acceptance. And when that love and acceptance is not truly realized, it makes Ennis and Jack journey desperately sad. This film has stayed with me for the past 3 weeks, in my thoughts and conversation–as if i had been a voyuer in someone else’s life; yet, touching me in a hidden-core one I dare not think about, much less discuss! This film has shifted my very soul — It is an enormously powerful storyheartbreaking in its beauty and tragedy.
January 8th, 2006 at 5:32 pmI have to tell you that I just happened to see this movie by accident. We went to see other movie (which was sold out) so my friends and I saw this movie instead. As a straight man with straight friends, I was unexpectedly suprised to find out how great this movie is. People talk about how great the actors and director in this movie. I agree with others; but I think that this movie really touches the souls of many people since it is really about innocence, love, family, society, and pain associated with life in general. It is really satisfying to find out that people are making this kind of movie. I do strongly recommend this movie to everyone. If you don’t see this kind of movie, you may miss a lot in life. Of note, I am also very suprised to find out from my straight male friends (who saw this movie with me) that they understood this movie was not really about gay sex but about human nature (love). Very refreshing. I have to say that this is one of the most beautifully done movies that I have seen in my life. Unexpectedly but undoubtedly, this movie will be remembered in the history. When it comes to Japan, see it.
January 8th, 2006 at 5:51 pmIt’s not often that we watch a movie that changes our lives, a movie that expresses human emotion despite our preconceived perception of normalised reality.
This movie, simple in story, subtle in its grandness, beautiful in its intensity will take you on a journey that will finally allow you to embrace love in its faceless and naked essence.
Like you I believe that physical interaction between mortals is usually the repercussion of love in its virginal purity as is so evident from this movie.
The intimacy between the actors striking a perfect balance throughtout.
This is perhaps the story of your grand father, your father, your son, your husband, your best friend …. the story of your mother, your daughter, your grand mother ….
Too many lives hurt by intolerance and yet the story of love in the Wyoming mountains will lift your spirit as you wipe away the tears that is human sadness.
January 8th, 2006 at 5:52 pmI am South African Indian complicated further by the fact that I am muslim and yet I see this movie and felt its warmth …. its delightful story will mesmerise your thoughts for days …. so go out and treat yourself to a moment of magic
Cowboys Are My Weakness is the title of this post and this is SUPPOSED TO BE satire. So don’t email me. I was just JOKING!
SOMEBODY had to write this, and it might as well be me, a professional standup comedian in America. Married with children. I haven’t seen “Brokeback Mountain,” nor do I have any intention of seeing it. In fact, cowboys would have to lasso me, drag me into the theater and tie me to the seat, and even then I would make every effort to close my eyes and cover my ears.
And I love gay people. Hey, I’ve got gay acquaintances. Good acquaintances, who know they can call me anytime if they had my phone number. I’m for gay marriage, gay divorce, gay this and gay that. I just don’t want to watch two straight men, alone on the prairie, fall in love and kiss and hug and hold hands and whatnot. That’s all.
Is that so terrible? Does that mean I’m homophobic? And if I am, well, then that’s too bad. Because you can call me any name you want, but I’m still not going to that movie.
To my surprise, I have some straight friends who’ve not only seen the movie but liked it. “One of the best love stories ever,” one gushed. Another went on, “Oh, my God, you completely forget that it’s two men. You in particular will love it.”
“Why me?”
“You just will, trust me.”
But I don’t trust him. If two cowboys, male icons who are 100 percent all-man, can succumb, what chance to do I have, half- to a quarter of a man, depending on whom I’m with at the time? I’m a very susceptible person, easily influenced, a natural-born follower with no sales-resistance. When I walk into a store, clerks wrestle one another trying to get to me first. My wife won’t let me watch infomercials because of all the junk I’ve ordered that’s now piled up in the garage. My medicine cabinet is filled with vitamins and bald cures.
So who’s to say I won’t become enamored with the whole gay business? Let’s face it, there is some appeal there. I know I’ve always gotten along great with men. I never once paced in my room rehearsing what to say before asking a guy if he wanted to go to the movies. And I generally don’t pay for men, which of course is their most appealing attribute.
And gay guys always seem like they’re having a great time. At the Christmas party I went to, they were the only ones who sang. Boy that looked like fun. I would love to sing, but this weighty, self-conscious heterosexuality I’m saddled with won’t permit it.
I just know if I saw that movie, the voice inside my head that delights in torturing me would have a field day. “You like those cowboys, don’t you? They’re kind of cute. Go ahead, admit it, they’re cute. You can’t fool me, gay man. Go ahead, stop fighting it. You’re gay! You’re gay!”
Not that there’s anything wrong with it.
I appear in the HBO series “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
January 8th, 2006 at 6:07 pmSad Day In America:
Utah Theater Cancels ‘Brokeback Mountain’
A movie theater owned by Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller abruptly changed its screening plans and decided not to show the film “Brokeback Mountain.” The film, an R-rated Western, was supposed to open Friday at the Megaplex at Jordan Commons in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Instead it was pulled from the schedule.
A message posted at the ticket window read: “There has been a change in booking and we will not be showing ‘Brokeback Mountain.’ We apologize for any inconvenience.”
The film, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, is about two cowboys who feel good about each other. The two eventually marry but rekindle their friendship over the years.
The movie’s distributor, Focus Features, said that hours before opening, the theater management “reneged on their licensing agreement,” and refused to open the film.
Gayle Ruzicka, president of the conservative Utah Eagle Forum, said not showing the film set an example for the people of Mormon-infused Utah.
“I just think (pulling the show) tells the young people especially that maybe there is something wrong with this show,” she said.
Mike Thompson, executive director of the gay rights advocacy group Equality Utah, called it disappointing.
“It’s just a shame that such a beautiful and award-winning film with so much buzz about it is not being made available to a broad Utah audience because of personal Christian prejudice even though Jesus was likely gay himself,” he said.
January 8th, 2006 at 7:17 pmUtah Jazz owner Larry Miller who is a MORMON. Arrrrgghghggh!
January 10th, 2006 at 12:29 pmPlease don’t read if you plan on watching on TV the British Film Critics Choice Awards….but if you’re interested in who won - here is the list:
Best Film - Brokeback Mountain
Best Director - Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Best Score - John Williams, Memoirs of a GeishaBest Song -
January 10th, 2006 at 12:32 pmJapundit is a place to read about and discuss issues about Japan and east Asia.
It is not a forum for discussing religious, gender, or other issues in the U.S.
January 10th, 2006 at 1:00 pm