As Brokeback Mountain returns to theaters for its twentieth anniversary, a author behind the 2005 homosexual neo-Western romance not too long ago recalled its Oscars snub.
Co-writer Diana Ossana not too long ago recalled Crash director Paul Haggis introducing her to Clint Eastwood at a celebration for the Academy Award nominees after voting had ended, a number of weeks earlier than the awards present.
“Paul began strolling me over and he goes, ‘Diana, I’ve to let you know, he hasn’t seen your film,’” recalled Ossana to The New York Occasions. “And it was like someone kicked me within the abdomen. That’s once I knew we’d not win Greatest Image.”
Regardless of successful a report variety of Greatest Image prizes through the awards season, together with the Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics’ Selection Award and Unbiased Spirit Award, Brokeback Mountain infamously misplaced the Oscar to Crash.
Ossana remains to be satisfied homophobia in Hollywood performed an element within the defeat. “Individuals wish to deny that, however what else may it have been? We’d gained all the pieces up till then,” she mentioned.
(L-R) Director Ang Lee, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal on the set of ‘Brokeback Mountain’
Focus Movies/Everett Assortment
After legendary Academy voters like Ernest Borgnine and Tony Curtis publicly said they might not watch the Ang Lee-helmed movie, Ossana instructed The Occasions, “I completely suppose that block of voters stored this film from successful Greatest Image.”
Lee beforehand mirrored on the snub to Deadline. “Your guess is pretty much as good as mine,” he mentioned final month. “There are occasions once I really feel like there’s an infinite willingness to observe the film. There’s a lot love for it. Typically, you’re feeling prefer it’s a breakthrough, that it broke all obstacles. Individuals appear to soften down. And you can’t even outline it as homosexual cinema. It’s not homosexual cinema, proper? It’s a love story.”
“I’m nothing however grateful. I’ve no bitterness. It by no means occurred to me,” added Lee, who gained Greatest Director for the movie.
Brokeback Mountain additionally gained Greatest Tailored Screenplay for Ossana and Larry McMurtry. The movie earned nominations for Greatest Actor for Heath Ledger, Greatest Supporting Actor for Jake Gyllenhaal, Greatest Supporting Actress for Michelle Williams, Greatest Cinematography for Rodrigo Prieto and Greatest Authentic Rating for Gustavo Santaolalla.