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I'm so sorry to tell you, but it happened again...

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twistedude:
Jenny, that was brilliant, as usual...How does Brokeback Mountain (I've stopped putting it in quotation marks lately, by the way) feel about its journey through the peoples of mankind (we shouldn't forget all the foreign awards it HAS won--and, by the way, how does the Venice Golden Lion compare in prestige  to the award it just lost?)

I just finished reading "Maurice," which Forster completed in 1914, and was published in 1971, the year after his death. In1960, he added a final postscript to his (unjpublished) manuscript, entitloed "On homosexuality" Two of the most strking sentences were :

"We had not realized that what the public really loathes in homosexuality is not the thing itself but having to think about it. If it could be slipped into our midst unnoticed, or legalized overnight by a decree in small print., there would be few protests." --E.M. Forster, 1960

Considering the warm welcome Brokeback Mountain has received, not to mention those of us who BATHE in it 24/7,--I should think the movie would be quietly pleased, without once denying that there is much work--for others--yet to do. Movies don't work; they provide pleasure and understanding. Stridency does not usually go over well, and Brokeback Mountain is not strident at all.

Sashca1007:
Jenny, you made me cry again-- thinking of Brokeback Mountain being a serene entity with feelings...and I believe you described those to perfection.  Brokeback Mountain in all its majesty, no need for boasting or mourning losses....just 'letting be'.

Julie, your description is equally as accurate and beautiful-- I, too, think it would be 'quietly pleased' and definitely not strident at all with its message.  You two have me crying all over again, and I'm grateful for your mention of 'those of us who BATHE in it 24/7' to make me smile through my tears!  I do feel that since my first viewing of BBM a few months ago I bathe in it, breathe it, eat it, and sleep with it. (I'm tempted to say 'wallow')

Julie, I've not read 'Maurice', but saw the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I feel sure I'd love the book-- have you seen the movie?  I thought it was beautiful.  I loved reading the Forster postscript-- thank you for posting that--now, I really want to read the book!

Melinda

twistedude:
(Wow! She SPOKE to me..!) I haven't seen the film yet. but I'm told it's better than the book. I've started on a book of his short stories now--some of which remained unpublished during his lifetime, but the forward is a little muddy on which (guess you can sort of pick them out, as you go along...)O. I l love Merchant-Ivory, and am very anxious to see the film.
Other half of the equasion:

luigival:
Thank you all gals and guys for sharing your thoughts.
So many question marks for me as to why the Italian Academy went for CRASH and not BBM, exactly copying what the Movie Academy had done with the Oscars.
The only saving grace was that at least, when it was shown at the Venice Film Festival, BBM was greeted by the public actually standing up and clapping their hands, before being assigned the Golden Lion, a testimony on how it had been perceived as a genuine masterpiece and a work of art. It's undeniable, BBM is indeed a beautiful movie in every sense (the story, the making, its visual graphics, its music), and it was perfect for a prize at an event like the Venice Film Festival. That's a more sophisticated event, where usually less "commercial" and more "artistic" movies are awarded.
Starboardlight made a good point on the fact that by having the movie dubbed in other languages, it would have lost part of its appeal, which is true: and also the quality of the voices of people actually dubbing could have made a big difference. But I don't feel this was a determinant factor in the fact that BBM was not awarded the David di Donatello. Its actual dubbing was not bad at all, though you lost a number of passages, but most of the original character was maintained.
No, dear friends, I'm afraid BBM lost this prize because... I don't know friends, I really don't know! And will continue to ask myself why it could happen again.
Luigi

ednbarby:
I think it is just too good for most to be able to appreciate fully.  Just like Jack.

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