here another aticle from the star: JAMAICA
News
No to gay movie
JONIQUE GAYNOR, Staff Reporter
Jake Gyllenhaal (left) and Heath Ledger (right) from the movie 'Brokeback Mountain.' - CONTRIBUTED
AS THE PALACE Cineplex prepares to open the curtains for the first showing of the controversial movie 'Brokeback Mountain', members of the public are expressing disgust at the decision to show the film.
The movie is based on a short story by E. Annie Proulx and explores the lives of two cowboys and their forbidden and secret love affair. It will be shown at the Palace Cineplex at the Sovereign Centre, St. Andrew, and the Palace Multiplex cinema in Montego Bay, St. James.
Though the movie has been praised for its cinematography and has been nominated for eight Academy awards, members of the public are not impressed and view it as an attempt by homosexuals to force their lifestyle onto the public. Not since the 2004 release of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, has a movie sparked such controversy and debate and the movie's proponents are just as vocal as its detractors.
Roy, a taxi driver, told THE STAR, "No, we nuh want see dat. Dem nuffi show nuttin bout no gay business unless a supp'm fi get rid a di gay ting." His views were echoed by Jay, a dancer, who says the movie will "influence the rest of gays and mek dem tink seh wha dem a do a di right ting. A woman mi seh ennuh, cowboy nuh turn gay, cowboy authentic."
Local church groups are also disturbed by the movie, as are Christian-minded members of the public. One such person, Kereece, told THE STAR: "I don't think they should be allowed to show it. Showing it is saying it's okay to be gay and it's not. The Bible done denounce dat already."
Major Richard Cooke, president of the National Church Alliance, a group of local church leaders from various denominations, believes that the local release of the movie is part of an "agenda" to force the homosexual lifestyle onto the public and feels it is evidence that "western civilisation is experiencing decay." He added also that while the alliance was not trying to "muzzle people's views and expressions" they want to ensure that "wholesome values and attitudes are being promoted."
The movie was rated X 21 (adults 21 and over) by the Cine-matography Authority yesterday, a notch up from the R rating the Motion Picture Association of America had assigned. When deciding on the rating, the authority checks for the potential for social harm, anything that may incite violence, or content that contains injurious language to any group or sect. While admitting that the movie deals with a "difficult and sensitive subject", a member of the authority, Joyce Archibald, said it treats the issue delicately and is a "strong human story with superb acting and excellent photography." She added also that the movie does not promote homosexuality, but is "more pitched to tolerance." She anticipates that reactions will be varied but feels that "people will go [to see it] out of curiosity. I know it will start debates and discussions."
Douglas Graham, managing director of Palace Amusement Company Ltd, says the movie is "a very good picture and people should not object to watching it based on what they've heard." He also stated that the movie would not be recalled even if persons lobbied against it. "Why would we recall it? If we brought a movie that was antagonistic to Catholics, would it be recalled?" He added that people needed to grow past their attitude to homosexuality and not stigmatise people that watch the movie.
When THE STAR contacted the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, a representative said that "the Jamaican opening of the movie is a wonderful idea." She added that she was looking forward to seeing the movie but felt that the local opening was not indicative of a softening of the public's stance towards homosexuality. She told THE STAR: "I think it [showing the movie] is just a cover up. I'm not buying it and I'm not impressed."
She is particularly disturbed by the fact that the movie is not being shown at the Carib cinema to open people's minds and get them to see things from a different point of view.
