Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Heath Ledger Remembrance Forum
Do you think your life will change now?
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: atz75 on January 24, 2008, 03:50:54 pm ---I really don't believe it's "disrespectful" at all to continue to discuss Ennis and Jack. In fact, I think it's quite the opposite.
--- End quote ---
Right. Trying to put myself in the place of an artist who has died, I can't imagine thinking that people who spent a lot of time discussing and analyzing my work were being disrespectful to me. One of the great things about being an artist, I think, is knowing that your work will live on after you're gone.
Dagi:
--- Quote from: Lucise on January 23, 2008, 11:15:35 pm ---
For me, death is always a reminder to keep things in perspective. Always. Nothing is promised or guaranteed and ideally, nothing should be taken for granted either.
There are so many little things we can get stuck on that keep us from living. Petty things that we can do without.
--- End quote ---
So well put. So true. Although it helps us get through the day to take at least some things for granted (we´d spend way too much time worrying) it is always a good thing to get reminded every now and again that everything is fleeting.
Brown Eyes:
--- Quote from: ineedcrayons on January 24, 2008, 04:28:38 pm ---Right. Trying to put myself in the place of an artist who has died, I can't imagine thinking that people who spent a lot of time discussing and analyzing my work were being disrespectful to me. One of the great things about being an artist, I think, is knowing that your work will live on after you're gone.
--- End quote ---
This is absolutely how I feel. Continuing to honor Brokeback with serious consideration is true tribute to Heath.
I think artists often hope that their art will endure and create a little bit of immortality. Our vision/image of Ennis will really never change. And Heath has given us this embodiment of Proulx's character. The fact that Ennis remains with us - in that film and etched in our minds by Heath- is really an extraordinary thing. It's part of the magic of art. I think.
Great artists pass away all the time. In art history and film history this does not stop people from discussing their work. The list of examples is of course enormous. Just think of any famous artist or actor who has passed away. Often an artist's death actually throws a spotlight on just how important their work really was (a sad irony of how art sometimes works).
I'm writing this post from my office in an art museum. And, I have to stay here late for the opening reception for my most recent exhibition. All of the artists in this exhibition (51 different people) are dead... and the continuing scholarship on and appreciation of their art most definitely endures.
I just don't believe that Heath would want his most devoted Brokies to move on from a continued consideration of BBM.
Essentially, I don't think we should feel at all guilty about talking about Ennis and Jack, the way we love so much. I really can't think of any way that that continuation would be disrespectful to Heath's memory.
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: atz75 on January 24, 2008, 03:50:54 pm ---I really don't believe it's "disrespectful" at all to continue to discuss Ennis and Jack. In fact, I think it's quite the opposite.
--- End quote ---
Sure enough. The emphasis in my comment was really supposed to be on the "argument" part. What I had in mind particularly when I initially wrote that were some of the very emphatic differences of opinion over subjects such as the extent of Ennis's internalized homophobia, or when he came to understand that he really loved Jack, for example.
The idea of continuing to argue over subjects such as that, when the actor who so fully brought the character to life has died so tragically, seems irrelevant and just does not sit well with me.
Brown Eyes:
Hi Jeff,
I'm sure your right that the tone and nuance of Brokeback discussions will change after this. At least for a while.
And, at this exact moment, it is sort of hard to think about anything beyond Heath and the process of grieving. But, I hope at some point to be able to go back (relatively soon, actually) to thinking more about Brokeback again.
I haven't watched the movie since Heath's death yet. But I plan to watch it this weekend. I'm sure it will be a whole new, and extraordinary experience. It was sad before... but now. Geez, I think it will be incredible.
:'(
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