The Ultimate Brokeback Guide
Interviews

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The Brokeback Mountain cast and crew have been stumping for the film since is began debuting at film festivals earlier this year. Expect the interviews to continue full throttle through the expanded release and into the awards season. Check back often.

• Denise Quan interviews Gustavo Santoalalla about the composition of the BBM soundtrack. (CNN, 23-Feb-2006)
• Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger talk candidly about making 'Brokeback Mountain' (ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, Christine Spines, 05-Feb-2006)
• Michael Jensen's take on the Oprah cast appearance (AFTER ELTON, 28-Jan-2006)
• Heath, Jake, Michelle and Anne on Oprah (27-Jan-2006) and the full video (YOU TUBE)
• Love, not sex, is the key to Brokeback Mountain – interview with Heath & Jake (DAILY TELEGRAPH [Australia], 26-Jan-2006)
• Ensemble interview from the Cincinnati Enquirer (Terry Lawson, 29-Dec-2005)

Ang Lee (director)

Taiwan-born director Ang Lee is one of the most gifted directors of the past decade, including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Sense and Sensibility; The Wedding Banquest and The Ice Storm.

• Ang Lee interviewed by Charlie Rose [Heath is interviewed in last portion] (7-Dec-2005)
• 'Brokeback Mountain' – a love story that needed to be told. Sean Elliott quotes Ang Lee before the Golden Globes wins (IF MAGAZINE, 25-Jan-2006)
• Golden Globes-winning director Ang Lee returns home to hero's welcome (YAHOO from AFP/TAIPEI, 19-Jan-2006)
• Ang Lee's bold cinematic vision (BBC [UK], 17-Jan-2006)
• Ang Lee at the Wyoming Premier (E-TRAVEL BLACKBOARD [Australia], 16-Jan-2006)
• 'I Encouraged Them To Do A Passionate Kiss' – interview with Ang Lee (BBC, Stella Papamichael, 15-Jan-2006)
• Go Tell It On The 'Mountain' – interview with Ang Lee (MOVIEFONE/AOL, Jan-2006)
• Jeanti St Clair Interviews Ang Lee on the making of Brokeback Mountain (SYDNEY STAR OBSERVER [Australia], 13-Jan-2006)
• WANTED: Gyllenhaal and Lee: interview with Camille Ricketts (STANFORD DAILY, 08-Jan-2006)
• David Lamble Interviews Brokeback Mountain Director Ang Lee (CLAUDE'S PLACE, 09-Jan-2006, video recorded 11-Dec-2005)
• Ang Lee interviewed about Brokeback Mountain (VARIETY, video recorded 21-Nov-2005)
• The Honolulu Advertiser chats with Ang Lee (Michael Tsai, 04-Jan-2006)
• London Free Press {purchase} interview with Ang Lee (Louis Hobson, 04-Jan-2006)
• SF Chronicle profile of Ang Lee (30-Dec-2005)
• Interview with Ang Lee on NPR's Day to Day (23-Dec-2005)
• AsianWeek interviews Ang Lee on what Asians, gays and cowboys share (09-Dec-2005)
• Blackfilm.com interviews Ang Lee (Wilson Morales, 02-Dec-2005)
• Really insightful interview with Ang Lee at gay.com (Dec-2005)
• SF Chronicle: combination feature piece, quasi review, and interview with Ang Lee, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal (30-Nov-2005)
• Ang Lee interview in Vanity Fair (14-Nov-2005)
• Internet Movie Database (IMDB) background on Ang Lee and his work directing Brokeback Mountain and other films

E. Annie Proulx (short story)

Annie Proulx writing has earned her National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize awards. Her other notable works include The Shipping News (later adapted to the screen) and her first published novel, Postcards.

• Annie Proulx describes her encounter with the movie: More Powerful Than My Words (THE AGE [Australia] an essay from Brokeback Mountain: Story to Screenplay [Scribner 2005], Annie Proulx, 04-Feb-2006)
• Terrific audio interview with Annie Proulx (BOOKWORM/KCRW, 19-Jan-2006) also available as a Podcast through iTunes
• John Detrixhe interviews Annie Proulx (BOOK SLUT, Dec-2005)
• Annie Proulx discusses the origins of Brokeback Mountain with A.P., courtesy of Newsday (15-Dec-2005)
• Interview with Annie Proulx at Planet Jackson Hole (07-Dec-2005)
• Internet Movie Database (IMDB) background on Annie Proulx and her movie work including the original short story for Brokeback Mountain

Heath Ledger (Ennis Del Mar)

Australian Heath Ledger, who has been seen as a future star for several years now, is suddenly breaking through. He's also leads in Casanova in theaters now.

• And oh, by the way, Jake is Matilda's godfather (YOUSENDIT)
• Heath and Michelle prior to the BAFTA presentations [video] (BBC [UK], 19-Feb-2006)
• Video: Heath Ledger on the Ellen DeGeneres Show (YOU TUBE, 13-Feb-2006)
• Ledger Makes Red Carpet Sizzle at Santa Barbara awards (NEWS PRESS, Scott Steepleton, 09-Feb-2006)
• Heath interviewed on Australian TV [Realplayer video]
• Heath explains his SAG giggles (LOS ANGELES TIMES, Elizabeth Snead, 03-Feb-2006)
• Heath interviewed by Charlie Rose [Heath is interviewed in last portion after Ang Lee or see just Heath's portion] (7-Dec-2005)
• Heath interviewed by Virginia Trioli and in RealPlayer audio: Part 1 – Part 2 (ABC-SYDNEY, Margaret El-Chami, 16-Jan-2006)
• Video: Heath on The Tonight Show (YOU TUBE, 17-Jan-2006)
• Myles Wearring interviews Heath (SYDNEY STAR OBSERVER [Australia], 19-Jan-2006)
• Actor Heath Ledger cracks the big time (ABC [Australia], Tracy Bowden, 13-Jan-2006)
• Bare-knuckle uncle was gay role model: Ledger (THE COURIER-MAIL [Australia], Adam Harvey, 17-Jan-2006)
• Ledger's Real Loves (THE SUN-HERALD via THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD [Australia], 16-Jan-2006)
• Heath Ledger Breaks Barriers With Brokeback Mountain (IF MAGAZINE, Sean Elliott, 11-Jan-2006)
• Heath and Michelle at Brokeback Mountain premier – video (THE AGE [Australia], 11-Jan-2006)
• Australia wonders is Heath Too Pretty for Oscar? (THE AGE [Australia], 09-Jan-2006)
• Family-First Ledger Polishes his image (HERALD SUN [Australia],Fiona Connolly, 09-Jan-2006)
• Heath discussed by Mark Addy in trailer for A Knight's Tale
• Kissing Cowboy Heath interviewed in The Guardian (UK) (Howard Feinstein, 6-Jan-2006)
• VH1 talks to Heath about souls and sex in Brokeback Mountain and Cassanov (C. Bottomley)
• Heath Ledger talks about his performance in Brokeback Mountain with Cinema Confidential (29-Dec-2005)
• From The Standard (Hong Kong), a chat with Heath Ledger (27-Dec-2005)
• Dark Horizons interview with Heath Ledger (07-Dec-2005)
• Sunday Times of London: Glowing story and interview with Heath Ledger (04-Dec-2005)
• SF Chronicle: combination feature piece, quasi review, and interview with Ang Lee, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal (30-Nov-2005)
• Towleroad blog's interview excerpts with good commentary (21-Nov-2005)
• Internet Movie Database (IMDB) background on Heath Ledger and his movie work including his performance as Ennis in Brokeback Mountain

Jake Gyllenhaal (Jack Twist)

Jake Gyllenhaal captured a lot of attention for a stunning role in the cult classic Donnie Darko. He became a mainstream star with The Day After, one of the biggest films of 2004. He stars in Jarhead, winding up its theater run now, and is working on Zodiac, currently in production.

• One Haal Of a Nice Guy (MIRROR [UK], Kiki King, Eva Simpson & Caroline Hedley, 21-Feb-2006)
• Jake Gyllenhaal in Vanity Fair (JUSTJARED.blogspot.com, 08-Feb-2006)
• The crop of young male actors taking over our screens (THE INDEPENDENT [UK], 24-Jan-2006)
• Jake Gyllenhaal Rides Along with 'Brokeback Mountain's' Unconventional Love Story – interviewed by Sean Elliott (IFMAGAZINE, 18-Jan-2006)
• Jake Gyllenhall on The Tonight Show (Friday, 13-Jan-2006, Windows media video, wmv)
• The Independent (UK) interview: Jake Gyllenhaal: Mountains of talent (Phil Hoad, 05-Jan-2006)
• Empire Magazine: Jake Gyllenhaal on Brokeback Mountain (Jan-2006)
• Orlando Sentinel interview: Jake Gyllenhaal matures as he takes on a series of challenging roles (Roger Moore, 05-Jan-2006)
• Hollywood.com interview: Finding his way up Brokeback Mountain
• Jake Gyllenhall discusses his role in Brokeback Mountain with industry mag BackStage (27-Dec-2005)
• Jake Gyllenhall chats with MoviesOnline (Canada) columnist The Dude (07-Dec-2005)
• Details cover story on Jake Gyllenhaal (Dec-2005)
• SF Chronicle: combination feature piece, quasi review, and interview with Ang Lee, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal (30-Nov-2005)
• Interview with Jake Gyllenhaal about Brokeback at About.com (29-Nov-2005)
• Towleroad blog's interview excerpts with good commentary (16-Nov-2005)
• Malcontent blogs all about Brokeback Mountain and links to Conan O'Brien interviewing Jake Gyllenhaal (Conan O'Brien post 04-Nov-2005; various subsequent posts)
• Internet Movie Database (IMDB) background on Jake Gyllenhaal and his movie work including his performance as Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain

Michelle Williams (Alma Del Mar)

Michelle Williams was most widely known for her role in TV series Dawson's Creek. She's worked in several feature films, but garnered little critical attention prior to Brokeback Mountain.

• Heath and Michelle prior to the BAFTA presentations [video] (BBC [UK], 19-Feb-2006)
• Michelle on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno [video] (NBC, 10-Feb-2006)
• Moviehole interview with Michelle Williams (11-Jan-2006)
• New York Daily News: Michelle Williams fell for ‘Brokeback Mountain’ role (Joe Neumaier, 05-Jan-2006; via The Olympian [WA])
• Newsweek feature on Michelle Williams' journey from Dawson's Creek to Brokeback Mountain (16-Dec-2005)
• Internet Movie Database (IMDB) background on Michelle Williams and her movie work including her performance as Alma Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain

Anne Hathaway (Lureen Newsome)

Anne Hathaway was perhaps best known for her breakthrough role in The Princess Diaries, opposite Julie Andrews.

• Anne Hathaway talks with the Boston Globe about her role and the filiming of Brokeback Mountain (27-Dec-2005)
• Internet Movie Database (IMDB) background on Anne Hathaway and her movie work including her performance as Lureen Newsome, Jack Twist’s wife, in Brokeback Mountain

Roberta Maxwell (Jack's mother)

Roberta Maxwell gives a stunning but brief performance as Jack’s mother in Brokeback Mountain. The Seattle Weekly rightly noted her performance in its roundup of Two-Minute Oscars for 2005. In her four decades of work Maxwell has delivered as many performance as years she’s acted, including both television and movies.

• Hollywood Elsewhere fawns over Roberta Maxwell's performance in Brokeback Mountain, plus some interesting insider tidbits (Jeffrey Wells, Jan 2006; scroll way down)
• Roberta Maxwell talks to the Toronto Star about the twist in her career that playing Jack's mother offered (21-Dec-2005)
• Internet Movie Database (IMDB) background on Roberta Maxwell and her movie work including her performance as Jack’s mother in Brokeback Mountain

Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana (screenplay)

Larry McMurtry, a Pulitizer Prize winning author perhaps best known among movie goers for the novel Terms of Endearment, and Diana Ossana, longtime friend and frequent collaborator, have worked on dozens of screen- and teleplays.

• Turning The West Upside Down (CBS NEWS, 19-Feb-2006)
• Interview with Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana: that reversing the shirts was Heath’s idea (ADVOCATE, Anne Stockwell, 28-Feb-2006)
• Cinemalogue interviews screenwriters McMurty and Ossana (CINEMALOGUE, Meghan White, 14-Feb-2006)
• Diana Ossana responds to It's Very Brave of Them(ADVOCATE, 13-Jan-2006)
• Transcript of PRI's Studio 360 interview with McMurtry and Ossana about the screenplay adaptation, also in RealAudio stream (10-Dec-2005)
• NPR's All Things Considered review and discussion on adapting the Brokeback Mountain story with Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana (Bob Mondello, 09-Dec-2005)
• Internet Movie Database (IMDB) background on Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana and their movie work