Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
Academy Award nominees Heath Ledger (left) and Jake Gyllenhaal star lead roles in leading Oscar contender 'Brokeback Mountain'.
THE MOVIE Brokeback Mountain may have opened even more doors for gay themes in Hollywood, but in conservative Jamaica where homosexuality is still illegal, there is outcry as the film begins its local run today.
Brokeback Mountain, which stars Jake Gylenhaal and Heath Ledger as gay cowboys, has been a sensation since it opened in 2005. It has won numerous accolades and is up for eight Academy Awards including Best Film.
But that has not impressed religious leaders here.
Yesterday, Major Neil Lewis, chairman of Family Life Ministries, said he was strongly opposed to such a film being shown in Jamaica. "I'm very distressed about it. We are allowing Hollywood to swamp us with wrong things," he said. "It's
dragging us down in the maelstrom of immortality."
Brokeback Mountain will be shown at the Palace Cineplex in Kingston and the Palace Multiplex in Montego Bay. Both theatres are owned by the Palace Amusement Limited.
Melanie Graham, marketing manager at Palace Amusement Limited, said the company expected some opposition from religious groups.
AN OPEN SOCIETY
She told The Gleaner that it would be unfortunate if there are protests at the venues where the movie plays as it was passed by the cinematography authority. "I think we are living in an open society and no one is being forced to see it," she said. "I don't know what the fuss is about."
Brokeback Mountain will be released amid fierce
opposition by church groups to the 'vague wording' of a section of the Charter of Rights Bill, which addresses the citizens right to privacy. They argued that the words, 'respect for private and family life, privacy of the home' can be interpreted as promoting an homosexual lifestyle. The joint select committee overseeing the bill in Parliament, agreed to hear submissions from the groups when next they meet on March 8.
