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 is the book by Daniel Bernardi. He claims 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 movies and TV shows. Television and movies now have a greater representation of all races and genders. There are still many obstacles to overcome and prejudices to be overcome, but there has been significant progress. Ang Lee’s Brokeback mountain is a movie that has influenced public opinion. It was released on 2005 and quickly became a media sensation. Two men’s love story prompted a lot of reaction, as same-sex relationships were still taboo. In 2005, a New York Times review praised the movie and called it “moving, majestic, and about love” (Holden). Although most people supported the movie’s story and supported it, 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 was released in theaters on March 1, and had earned $76 million by the time it was released. The film was also nominated eight Academy Awards. Many of its backers were disappointed when Brokeback Mountain wasn’t nominated for Best Picture. The movie was still well received and won awards by numerous 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 Mountains sparks conversation among men’s and queer studies. It is still debated as to which type of film it might be: Queer, Gay or Western, Romance, and perhaps even one of each. 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. People are quick to label anything they’re not comfortable with in real life.
Some gay men saw the film and appreciated the fact that Jack Twist’s and Ennis DelMar were not stereotypical representations of gay men. Straight men were intimidated by the male characters, saying that the film “ridicules Western” because they were gay.
The ending scene of the film could be read as a reference in the movie to Matthew Shepard’s fatal beating, which occurred in Wyoming 1998. 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 crimes against sexual orientation at the time. Brokeback Mountain was credited as a stepstone to the 2009 Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which included violence motivated by gender identity or disability. 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 made people think critically about their beliefs and forced them to reevaluate their views. Brokeback mountain was an example of how 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
