LOVE IS LOVE
Brokeback Mountain!
I finally went to see the so-called “gay cowboy movie,” “Brokeback
Mountain.” Before it opened at cinemas in Turkey, the Ministry of
Culture discussed this movie and its effect on society. In my opinion,
the film is not as good as you might think, considering that it was
nominated for several Oscars. However, since the Hollywood entertainment
industry has been directing its talent and money to making TV series,
movies these days just aren't as good as they used to be.
As you all know, this
film, about a gay relationship between two cowboys, caused a conflict in
our country. People under the age of 18 have been forbidden to watch it
in Turkey. In the U.S., the film has an R rating, meaning that minors
can watch it only if they are with an adult. Also, even in many
countries where gay marriage is legal, it is still forbidden for those
under age 18. I am sure that the authorities had a
good reason for making this rule. That is because this is just a story
about love between two people. I know it's kind of irritating to watch
two men kissing and hugging. But love is love, in any case. This couple
fights for their love, which lasts for 20 years. Both guys get married
to women and have children. However, they try to see each other, even
though the circumstances are difficult for them. It's a regular romantic
movie--if we don't consider that the lovers are gay.
The reason given for
banning this movie is that it encourages people to be gay. However, this
is not anything like "Valley of the Wolves," which some think encourages
people to carry a gun. Being gay is a physical thing, not a matter of
choice. As long as you're heterosexual, you won't want to be gay.
In relation to the
issues raised by this movie, television reporters here have interviewed
actors and asked them whether they would want to play a gay role in a
movie. The actors--artists who are supposed to be professional, and aim
to be good examples for the country--answer that they would never accept
a gay role! However, maybe this is understandable. We shouldn't forget
that people held a funeral for a character who died in a TV series (the
actor is actually still alive). In view of this, people may think that
someone who plays a gay role in the movies or on television could be gay
in real life. Yes, this is true.
Some time back, there
was a Turkish movie called "Hamam," which featured a homosexual
relationship between two men. One of the actors, Mehmet Günsur--who is
nowadays considered "hot" by female fans--left Turkey after this movie
and didn't return for many years. I don't know whether he moved away to
make people forget his role in "Hamam," but it seems that everyone has
indeed now forgotten that he played a gay role.
Anyway, what I loved in
"Brokeback Mountain" was the idea of love, and nothing else. But the
Hollywood entertainment industry is lowering the quality of its
productions. They should pay more attention to films than to TV series.
For the sake of being "creative," they've produced a movie about cowboys
in love, just to get attention and be nominated for awards. The result
in Turkey was that the Ministry of Culture wanted to ban the film. I
don't think that it's a hardcore gay movie, nor do I think that it
should have been nominated for the Oscars. It's not so perfect that
everyone should see it, but it's a nice enough film if you have some
free time.
Gülay Acar (COMD/III)
howtoreachgulay@yahoo.com
 |
