“Brokeback Mountain” is a frontrunner at this year’s Academy Awards with eight nominations, including nods for Best Film and Director. Victor Chau talked to director Ang Lee while he was recently in the city.
HK Magazine: You once said you had tears in your eyes after reading the short story “Brokeback Mountain.” What moved you most?
Ang Lee: When Ennis takes out Jack’s bloodstained shirt in the end – it’s very brilliant, internal writing. It moved me a lot. Ennis has had a taste of love, but when he actually realizes it, it’s already too late. Love is just universal. People have said many things about the movie – how I read and interpreted the short story. I don’t know what hit me, but I’m just totally spellbound.
HK: How did you direct Ledger and Gyllenhaal’s sex scene? And their romance?
AL: I’m a pretty shy person. And how to realize the lovemaking and romance scenes was really their job. They just had to do it. At first we spent weeks rehearsing, but I pretty much let them develop their inner romantic tension by themselves. I said to them, “If you don’t believe it, nobody will. So you have to see it.” When we actually shot the lovemaking scene, it took place inside a tent and we used a handheld camera. It was very dark, unrehearsed and natural. But the result was very genuine and powerful.
HK: Sexuality aside, who do you identify with more – Ennis or Jack?
AL: I see them as a couple representing two sides of myself. This mentality is very common among directors. But personally I think I’m more attached to Ennis.
HK:What are you planning to do next?
AL: Something Chinese.
Check out our movie review of Lee's Brokeback Mountain