Author Topic: Article: "Brokeback Mountain Author Slams Movie's Fans"  (Read 11727 times)

Offline Mandy21

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Article: "Brokeback Mountain Author Slams Movie's Fans"
« on: September 18, 2008, 09:43:32 am »
http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0567773/

Brokeback Mountain Author Slams Movie's Fans
17 September 2008 12:04 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

 
The author who inspired Oscar-winning movie Brokeback Mountain has come under scrutiny from film fans.

Annie Proulx claims she has been pestered by fans following the release of the 2005 movie - starring late actor Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal - which was based on her short story of the same name.

The writer insists the tale has become "the source of constant irritation in my private life" because she is harassed by people offering their reinterpretations of the tale.

She says, "There are countless people out there who think the story is open range to explore their fantasies and to correct what they see as an unbearably disappointing story. They constantly send ghastly manuscripts and pornish rewrites of the story to me, expecting me to reply with praise and applause for 'fixing' the story. They certainly don't get the message that if you can't fix it, you've got to stand it.

"Brokeback Mountain has had little effect on my writing life, but is the source of constant irritation in my private life."

« Last Edit: September 18, 2008, 06:04:48 pm by Mandy21 »
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Offline optom3

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Re: Annie Slams Movie's Fans
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2008, 03:59:53 pm »
http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0567773/

Brokeback Mountain Author Slams Movie's Fans
17 September 2008 12:04 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

 
The author who inspired Oscar-winning movie Brokeback Mountain has come under scrutiny from film fans.

Annie Proulx claims she has been pestered by fans following the release of the 2005 movie - starring late actor Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal - which was based on her short story of the same name.

The writer insists the tale has become "the source of constant irritation in my private life" because she is harassed by people offering their reinterpretations of the tale.

She says, "There are countless people out there who think the story is open range to explore their fantasies and to correct what they see as an unbearably disappointing story. They constantly send ghastly manuscripts and pornish rewrites of the story to me, expecting me to reply with praise and applause for 'fixing' the story. They certainly don't get the message that if you can't fix it, you've got to stand it.

"Brokeback Mountain has had little effect on my writing life, but is the source of constant irritation in my private life."



Not a member of the tact and diplomacy corp. then. It is at odds with what she is previously quoted as saying which is,a book is not finished until it has been read.That leaves us free to put our own interpretation on it,
I can understand that being bombarded with, in her opinion, poorly written, follow ups may be bothersome.Is it not also a compliment as to how seriously her writing is being perceived,and also that people re in their heads finishing the story the way they want.Something she encourages.I am sure the film also was instrumental in introducing both,BBM and other stories she has penned to a sector of the public who would otherwise have never given her work house room.

Fame always has and always will be a double edged sword.

Offline Jeff Wrangler

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Re: Annie Slams Movie's Fans
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2008, 04:27:23 pm »
Personally, before I criticized Annie Proulx for "slamming fans," I'd like to know a little bit more about what she means here:

She says, "There are countless people out there who think the story is open range to explore their fantasies and to correct what they see as an unbearably disappointing story. They constantly send ghastly manuscripts and pornish rewrites of the story to me, expecting me to reply with praise and applause for 'fixing' the story. They certainly don't get the message that if you can't fix it, you've got to stand it."

What does she mean by fans "correcting" or "fixing" the story? And what kind of person sends a manuscript to a Pulitzer-prize winning author and tells her that this how she should have written her own story? I don't wonder she's annoyed at something like this.

"It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide."--Charles Dickens.

Offline Mandy21

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Article: "Brokeback Mountain Author Slams Movie's Fans"
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2008, 06:03:36 pm »
I wasn't criticizing her, Jeff.  I was merely passing on an article that was written yesterday and posted on IMDB.  The title of the article was "Brokeback Mountain Author Slams Movie's Fans".  Please forgive me if I shortened the subject line of my post.  I have just now corrected this.  Please feel free to investigate further, and pass on what you find out to us.  Thank you.
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Offline Shakesthecoffecan

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Re: Annie Slams Movie's Fans
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2008, 06:05:11 pm »
I wonder if McMurtry and Ossana get those stories and/or screen plays too?

Here is where you can find that article (with thanks to Leslie)

http://www.zimbio.com/pilot?ZURL=%2FBrokeback%2BMountain%2Farticles%2F26%2FStop%2BSending%2BAnnie%2BProulx%2BExtended%2BGyllenhaal&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB122065020058105139.html
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Offline Artiste

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Re: Article: "Brokeback Mountain Author Slams Movie's Fans"
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2008, 10:04:05 pm »
Annie never said that!

Offline Jeff Wrangler

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Re: Article: "Brokeback Mountain Author Slams Movie's Fans"
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2008, 10:24:35 pm »
I wasn't criticizing her, Jeff.  I was merely passing on an article that was written yesterday and posted on IMDB.  The title of the article was "Brokeback Mountain Author Slams Movie's Fans".  Please forgive me if I shortened the subject line of my post.  I have just now corrected this.  Please feel free to investigate further, and pass on what you find out to us.  Thank you.

I didn't mean to imply you were, and I'm sorry if you took it that way. Really, my comment about criticizing Annie was more my own reaction to the comment in the post immediately preceding mine that Annie Proulx is "not a member of the tact and diplomacy corps."
"It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide."--Charles Dickens.

Offline Katie77

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Re: Article: "Brokeback Mountain Author Slams Movie's Fans"
« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2008, 10:39:20 pm »
The general impression I get is that they are bouncing off the film, not the story. There's more, but that is enough, ok?


It would be interesting to take a poll, just amongst our Brokies here, on what made them a Brokie.....

Was it the short story, or was it the movie?

Because I had not read the short story until several months, and several viewings, I have no hesitation in saying, for me, it was definately the movie. The genius acting of Heath and Jake, the magnificent screenply by Ossama and McMurtry, and the overwhelming direction of Ang Lee.

To me, they made the story that I became obssessed with.

I have never been a fan of Annie Proulx, and have always believed she has the fan base now, because of BBM.

Theres a quote we say in Australia, when people turn their back on what makes them popular in the first place.......you dont shit, where you eat........thats what I think of Annie Proulx.
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Offline optom3

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Re: Article: "Brokeback Mountain Author Slams Movie's Fans"
« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2008, 11:36:47 pm »
The general impression I get is that they are bouncing off the film, not the story. There's more, but that is enough, ok?


It would be interesting to take a poll, just amongst our Brokies here, on what made them a Brokie.....

Was it the short story, or was it the movie?

Because I had not read the short story until several months, and several viewings, I have no hesitation in saying, for me, it was definately the movie. The genius acting of Heath and Jake, the magnificent screenply by Ossama and McMurtry, and the overwhelming direction of Ang Lee.

To me, they made the story that I became obssessed with.

I have never been a fan of Annie Proulx, and have always believed she has the fan base now, because of BBM.

Theres a quote we say in Australia, when people turn their back on what makes them popular in the first place.......you dont shit, where you eat........thats what I think of Annie Proulx.

I read the story first and loved it,but it is the only Proulx story I have loved.The subject matter just touched a raw nerve somewhere. The movie then enhanced that experience considerably.
Maybe it is a nuisance having people send in their versions, but I would guess in the main,it is fans who  want a happy ending. Some of them may well be so presumptious as to imply their version is better.On the whole I am sure most of it is fan fiction of varying quality.It is those same fans who read the story, saw the film ad spread the word.
Of course after a while I guess it becomes annoying,but I would rather people pester me with letters and fan fiction,than completely ignored me.I would be very surprised if any of it was done with malice.
The simple solution is empty mail box and launch in the direction of the trash can.

What will never change, is it was an inspired story, penned by an author of immense talent,scripted by 2 equally talented writers, and acted and directed with a flair and touch so light  that it became  an iconic movie. It changed peoples lives for ever.Can't personally see too much wrong with that. If I make a difference to just one person as I wend my way through this life,I would consider that a real success.

Offline Front-Ranger

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Re: Article: "Brokeback Mountain Author Slams Movie's Fans"
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2008, 11:54:18 pm »
I know that Annie Proulx has corresponded with quite a few writers and people and is very nurturing and supporting. Who she is lashing out at is probably members of the slash/fan fiction crowd which has caused a lot of grief. In fact, she actualy had to move to another home because of them, as well as the right-wing conservative extremists.
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