It’s a great way to exercise empathy by watching a movie. The movie’s characters are forced to make you feel for them. This raises the question of whether empathy can result in real, tangible change. Filming Difference: Actors. Directors. Producers. Writers. On Gender, Racy, and Sexuality. Daniel Bernardi says that films are powerful because they help us to see ourselves and others differently.
Graeme Turner also believes in the power and potential of film. He believes that film’s active interpretation is crucial, given the complexity of its production. Turner also talks about how movies serve a cultural function beyond the enjoyment of storytelling. A movie’s production must take place within a social or cultural context. It is possible to look at the relationship between society and film through many lenses. This connection can be seen as reflective. Film is thought to reflect the values and beliefs of the culture. This concept is not without its exceptions. The culture is not represented by musicals like the classics, which have utopian stories that are starry-eyed and optimistic. Other perspectives include structural linguistics. Turner points out that it is difficult to study all aspects related to film and culture simultaneously. In recent years, there have been more inclusive TV shows, films, and plays. Television and movies now have a greater representation of all races and genders. There are still many obstacles to overcome and prejudices to be addressed, but there has been significant progress. Ang Lee’s Brokeback mountain is a movie that caused a stir in the public. It was released on 2005 and quickly became a media sensation. Two men’s love story prompted a wide variety of reactions, considering that the topic of homosexual relationships at the time was taboo. In 2005, a New York Times review praised the movie and called it “moving, majestic, and about love” (Holden). Although most of the film’s story was praised, there were some who disagreed. Conservative Christians were particularly vocal in their opposition to Brokeback Mountain’s “obliteration” of accepted norms of sexual and social behavior (Thomas). The most common negative reaction was to Brokeback’s sex scene. Some felt the scene was too graphic. It grossed $76million in three months after its theatrical release. The film was also nominated eight Academy Awards. Many of its backers were disappointed that Brokeback Mountain wasn’t nominated for Best Picture. The film was still highly acclaimed and received awards from many organizations including the Golden Globes. It is interesting to note that Wyoming, the location of Brokeback mountain, saw an increase in tourist visits after the movie was released. Tourists were drawn to Wyoming by the stunning cinematography. Wyoming saw an increase of 50% in tourism. Brokeback Mountain also helped to increase the visibility of the International Gay Rodeo Association, which resulted in a rise in rodeo attendance. Brokeback Mountain has sparked discussion among men’s and queer studies. It is not clear which genre it is. The majority of people have concluded that it’s “queer cinema.” Heath Ledger (“Ennis De Mar”) addressed Brokeback Mountain’s subgenre at a press event in 2006. He explained with great clarity, “It’s evidently about two men in Love, and it has obviously been gay-themed. It’s easy to label. Unfortunately, people are quick to label things they don’t like in their lives.
A few gay men saw the film and appreciated the fact that Jack Twist, Ennis de Mar, and Ennis were not stereotypical gay men. Straight men were afraid of the male characters because they were perceived as more masculine.
One scene at the film’s end can be taken to refer to Matthew Shepard’s death in 1998, Wyoming. Matthew Shepard was an openly homosexual student. Ennis finds Jack dead and dials Lureen Twist to inquire about what happened. Ennis envisions a different scenario. Three men beat Jack in the scene. The movie doesn’t explain what happened so the viewer can decide. You can interpret the scene as a protest against hate-crimes. It was not possible to have a law that protected victims of hate crime based upon sexual orientation at that time. Brokeback Mountain was credited with helping to pass 2009’s Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This law expanded the definitions for hate crimes to include violence motivated through disability, gender and gender identity. Every person’s reaction to a movie is unique. Every movie-goer brings their own beliefs, values and perspectives to the theater. Strong reactions can be sparked by films, whether they are positive or negative. Brokeback Mountain was the victim of passionate opinions from all walks. Despite some backlash, the mass media coverage brought up the issue of homosexual rights and spurred conversation. These conversations required people to reflect critically on their beliefs and make choices. Brokeback Mountain’s message was that communication is essential for social change. “Always be open to your opinions about hate and violence towards others. Isn’t this more important?” – Heath Ledger
