I saw "Brokeback Mountain" this past Saturday evening, and the movie was early sold out when I reserved my tickets online early that morning. I have to say that it was one of the most moving films I've seen, regardless of the subject matter. Ang Lee is truly a remarkable director. It's amazing to me how realistically he captured the culture, way of life, and sentiment of the American West and cowboy lifestyle, considering that he's Taiwanese. I also admired that he portrayed it as a "love story" as opposed to a "gay movie." The film has already received quite a few Golden Globes (one of which went to Bernie Taupin, Elton John's long-time collaborator, for best song), and I can easily see it walking away with several Oscars. I was surprised at the ending (I'd never read the original shory story), and even cried a bit.

It reminded me a lot about the Mathew Shepard case of severa years ago, and not surprisingly, very few Taiwanese I know have heard about that incident. So, I'm going to try to educate as many people as possible about that. In that respect, despite its conservatism, Taiwan is certainly a more tolerant place than America ... although many people still cannot accept homosexuality here, I have never heard of the kind of "gay bashing" that still goes on in America.

Ang Lee is really an incredible director, and it makes me very proud that he is Taiwanese, and that I am living in his home country. The people here adore him, and he is a national hero to them. There has been nothing but praise for his film here, and none of the controversy and protests that have occured in the States. For Taiwanese, it seems as though they love the film because it was made by Ang Lee, and pretty much ignore the subject matter. The entire audience was dead silent throughout the film, which was a bit unusual for here. A lot of times, when something "awkward" or "uncomfortable" happens, Taiwanese tend to laugh about it, and that's what I figured would be the reaction during several points in the film, but it didn't happen once. I think everyone was truly moved (or was it stunned?) ... after the movie, no one really knew what to say. I still don't really know what to say ... I was very impressed.