Publication Date

2008-01-01

Availability

Open access

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Motion Pictures (Communication)

Date of Defense

2007-12-02

First Committee Member

Dr. Christina Lane - Committee Chair

Second Committee Member

Dr. William Rothman - Committee Co-Chair

Third Committee Member

Dr. Lindsey Tucker - Committee Member

Abstract

The film "Brokeback Mountain" was released in December of 2005 into mainstream theaters and to general audiences. Director Ang Lee, screenwriters Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry, and actors Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal made this film in which the storyline revolves around two men falling in love and how this forbidden love would affect the rest of their lives. The shock of having a film with two men kissing and having sex in the theaters seemed to have struck a nerve with many viewers. Some were very positive, hailing the film as a new step in mainstream films to show a queer relationship, others were negative, criticizing the film even at times condemning what was shown on the screen. The impact of the film made debate and conversations about queer content available to a public forum, in this case newspapers from around the country.

Keywords

Brokeback Mountain; Film; Gay Cinema; Queer Cinema; Philadelphia

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