I guess I'll start with a question that's been pretty controversial - in the closet scene, when Ennis is holding Jack's shirt, some of the Brokies I know (Brokies is the term we've invented to call ourselves), insist that Ennis whispers, "I love you" into the shirts. Others insist that this is against Ennis's character. Could you clarify this for us?
But when I saw the rushes later, I realized it kind of worked. People would be wondering. So I left it in.
OK, here's a question for Ang... Was the placement of the Jolly Green Giant sign in the grocery scene behind Monroe (when he first comes to Alma's aid after the spilled peanuts) meant to be a deliberate comment on Monroe? Or, perhaps, was it an inside joke or reference to one of your other movies, The Hulk?
Also, I won't rest until I know about Ang's thoughts on the symbolism of loaves of bread and the packaging of loaves of bread!
How many takes were required for TS1 and TS2?
And, much like the bread question... how deliberate was the use of coffeepots and buckets as symbolic elements?
Actually, One -- may I call you "One"? -- that was Heath's idea. Well, to be honest, not so much his idea but an impulse that grabbed him as he stood there in the closet. You see, he really did love that shirt, the blue one the Jake wore. I told him, "Oh, for Pete's sake, Heath, just go back to that Western store in Denver and get one of your own." But it was really a bigger deal than that, for Heath. He wanted Ennis to be the "blue" one, and Jack to be the "tan" one. He argued long and hard. He really likes blue, I guess. Secretly, I began to suspect he was afraid blue would be more flattering on Jake, those eyes and all, and viewers would get distracted. But I digress. Anyway, when he saw the shirt in the closet he blurted out "I love you" into the fabric, so softly he didn't think the cameras had captured it. We reshot the scene. But when I saw the rushes later, I realized it kind of worked. People would be wondering. So I left it in.
We let Heath keep the blue shirt, by the way.
Those boys really did appreciate one another's senses of humor. And you know what they say about the libido and the funny bone. Or if you don't, please don't ask me to say it -- it's a little risque.
Fantastic to see you here at last! Will you be doing autographs too? :-* 8)
I wish I knew how to quit you, autographs! Ha ha ha. But sure, belbbmfan, come on up after the Q & A and I'll get you all set up.
Why are boxes a soup hard to pack? ???I´ve always wonder that too....
Why did Ennis wear socks, but no drawers?
Hi Ang! This is not much of a question related to the movie, more a personal one. Would you care to meet up with us Brokies in NY in May? We may be obsessed but pretty harmless. If you come, I promise I´ll tattoo "Ang" on my forhead. Will you come?
and oh...a movie related question. Sort of. If you would have to chose another time and place to set the BBM story in, when and where would it be? After having watched the movie a hundred times, this is the question that have kept me up at night.
Hey, Ang!
I've been dying to ask: did Aguirre and Uncle Harold really have an affair on Brokeback? And isn't that Uncle Harold on the other end of the phone when Aguirre yells, "Not on your f---in' life"?
Ang, do these jeans make my butt look big?
(http://www.mygastricbypasslife.com/WeightLossSurgery/images/After_TracyInBigJeans3.jpg)
Thanks, buffymon, I'll be there! Dinner at Five Leaves is on me. No need for the tattoo on the forehead, though. A less conspicuous spot is fine: bicep, wrist, ankle ... whatever.
Ha ha, this reminds me of when we were shooting the scene with Cassie and Ennis at that little dive bar in Riverton. At first, we'd planned for the scene to take place at the Red Lobster across the street. But there was this one woman, she was a regular customer at the dive I guess, who was SO determined for us to shoot the scene in her favorite tavern. She wrote letters, she sent candygrams ... I thought that Red Lobster would be a perfect set, and Linda looked fetching in the Red Lobster uniform. That woman so determined, though. She even offered to get a tattoo. That's your business, I said.
But then when I saw that she didn't get just ONE tattoo, she got pretty much her whole body tattooed, well, what could I say? Not only did we agree to film there, but I let her appear in the scene.
Good question, buffymon. Actually, I had originally planned to set BBM in a whole different time and place. It was going to take place on an ocean liner, in the early 20th century. We had it all worked out: stars signed, budget lined up, shooting dates ... then the suits changed their minds. Said they wanted to make the film more quote/unquote "marketable." Next thing you know, Jake and Heath are out, Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are in. They even changed the name of the ocean liner, to one that supposedly struck a more familiar chord with the focus groups. Suddenly, I didn't recognize my own project, so I bailed.
Wonder whatever became of that picture. Straight to video, I suppose.
Why are boxes a soup hard to pack? ???
Did Ennis say "I'm sorry..." to Jack during the second tent scene?
Why don't Texans drink coffee?
Why did Ennis wear socks, but no drawers?
were they really the size of apples?
Question for Ang Lee: Will you marry me?? :P
More like plums. You know how them coyotes exaggerate.
First question: was Jack really Bobby's father? We doubt it, with Bobby talking such a strange accent and all.
2nd: why did Alma Junior's eye color change?
3rd: where was Ennis going to when he hurried out of the kitchen after revieving the first postcard? And what was he doing there?
4th: please tell us a little bit about the, uhm, you know (I'm a bit shy to mention it) ehm, the electric knife Monroe used at Thanksgiving.
I must say that I'm very intrigued by your signature line: "It is green because you keep twisting it, it's an ancient skill, you keep twisting it and knocking it and twisting it until it is very elastic and light."
4th: please tell us a little bit about the, uhm, you know (I'm a bit shy to mention it) ehm, the electric knife Monroe used at Thanksgiving.
All I know about it is that the prop master found it in the drawer of Alma's bedside table.
Why don't Texans drink coffee?
As far as I know, they do. However, I've heard that residents of Massachusetts don't drink coffee.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
You are on a roll, Ang!
First of all, do you have a role for me in your next film?
Secondly, what is the pentecost?
Mr. Lee, when you have a moment more - I've read that you are warm and supportive to your actors before the filming starts, but once you are on set, you say very little to them, sometimes leaving them insecure as to how they are doing in your eyes. Care to comment?
When you were in China about the Brokeback Mountian movie, what did you say there and then?
S.V.P., I especially would like to know why they did laugh, please!
Dear Mr Lee, I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am to have you here at BetterMost. So much so, in fact, I appear to be cured of my debilitating, life-long flying phobia and am now planning on flying from Australia (where I live) to New York for the forthcoming Brokie dinner with you. I've just booked my ticket on-line. Yee-Haw! Can't wait! :D
Ang (may I call you Ang?), my question to you relates to the little wooden figurine Ennis is seen carving during a thunderstorm up on Brokeback. Towards the end of the film, when Ennis enters Jack's childhood bedroom at Lightning Flat, there is a little wooden figurine of a horse and rider on Jack's desk. I have often wondered if they are one and the same. A gift of love given by Ennis to Jack and treasured by Jack thereafter, kept by him in the same safe place that Jack kept the treasured shirts.
I often asked that another Brokeback Mountain movie be made!
Could that become so?
Can you tell us if any male actors was/were gay (homosexual) man/men playing in the Brokeback Mountain movie?
Thatis, in his real life?
Why so much violence towards gay men in the Brokeback Mountain movie?
Do you think that the Brokeback Mountain movie you did, help better gay live for homosexuals?
Can Serious continue to be serious, since your answers are great!
Even on April Fools Day!
You are wonderful!
Artiste, I have heard there is indeed a sequel in the works. However, this time I will not be involved, nor will any of the previous cast or crew. This one will be a comedy, directed by Judd Apatow, starring Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen.
Now you're talkin'!
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX0SD_cazhs[/youtube]
Damn! Y'all got me!... I read the first three pages before I figured it out.. I was sitting here thinking, "Wow, that Ang Lee sure is generous with his time... and so much funnier than I thought he'd be!".
;)
Haha! I was roped in too! ::) ;) :laugh:
Yes, you even bought a plane ticket to go to New York! How much did that cost? ;D
QANTAS gave me a full refund, after I provided them with a letter of explanation from my analyst. ;)
This thread is an instant classic. I just reread it, and it's stood the test of time - over two weeks later, it's still a tour de force.