AP: 'Brokeback' Named Best Independent Film

[Hissyspit]

'Brokeback' Named Best Independent Film
By DAVID GERMAIN (AP Movie Writer)
From Associated Press
March 04, 2006 7:45 PM EST
SANTA MONICA, Calif. - The cowboy love story "Brokeback Mountain" won best picture and its creator Ang Lee was named best director Saturday at the Independent Spirit Awards, which played out as a potential prelude to the Academy Awards.

Honoring the best in lower-budgeted, edgy filmmaking, the Spirit Awards honored many key contenders for Sunday's Oscars, where "Brokeback Mountain" is the best-picture favorite.

"In a year when the Oscars have such an independent spirit, I really treasure this encouragement," Lee said.

- snip -

"Brokeback Mountain" is the story of two sheepherders who carry on a torrid gay love affair that they conceal from their families for years. It would be the first explicit gay theme film to win the best-picture Oscar.

"Mostly 'Brokeback Mountain' is about sheep," said one of the film's producers, Diana Ossana. "So we want to thank our shepherd, Ang Lee," said the film's other producer, James Schamus.

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[Erika]

1. These two were NOT just sheepherders

They were cowboys.

[Rowdyboy]

3. Cowboys, sheepherders, who know the the difference...They were both....

HOWEVER ranchhands, and I'd like to hear some winger try to deny that!

[Tight_rope]

2. Good...must be killing Pat Robertson softly...LMAO!

[geomon666]

4. Did I miss something?

Produced by Paramount, released by Universal. Where's the independent part come in?

[AmericanErrorist]

5. Good point

The "Independent" part supposedly comes in because that film was released by a studio-affiliated company that specializes in "independent" film.

[blondeatlast]

7. Maybe that's where the "Spirit" comes in. //sarcasm//

Woe be to the independent producers, directors, and others who actually make a film without studio funding.

I loved "Brokeback" but this just doesn't count in my book.

[xchrom]

6. very cool!

[bigwillq]

8. WOO HOO!

:bounce:

[tjdee]

9. That's bullshit,sorry.

I feel bad for all the other ACTUALLY INDEPENDENT films that were made this year. Brokeback Mountain had the Golden Globes and the Oscars, most of those other films will only ever see the Spirit Awards.

I have no doubt that against the other nominees Brokeback Mountain was superior (seeing as it's not really independent and had more money and arguably better materials and talent available) but I suspect they gave it the award for the "OH MY GOD THEY'RE GAY COWBOYS" factor, which is insulting, to me, in a way.

[blondeatlast]

11. Agreed--the so-called "independents" certainly have some

impressive casts and directors.

Here's the info from "Focus Features, The Specialty Films Unit of Universal Pictures (from the Google description)" the "independent" that brough us "Brokeback Mountain" and "Pride and Prejudice."

http://www.focusfeatures.com/home.php

[BlueIris]

10. Go Brokeback...go.

A good omen.