The most famous gay romance of all time in cinemas again. A film about two men's forbidden love remains one of queer cinema's greatest stories
"I still remember that moment," Jake Gyllenhaal said in an interview with Vanity Fair. He was recalling a time when he and Heath Ledger attended a screening of the film at the Aero in Los Angeles. After the screening, one of the audience members stood up and thanked them, saying, "This is the 11th time I've seen this movie. I can't stop watching it. Thank you for making it."
For Gyllenhaal, it was a powerful moment of realisation: "It was profound. We realized the reach of the story. And similar reactions are still coming in today. I can't tell you how proud I am."
A film that pushed the boundaries
Brokeback Mountain, an adaptation of Annie Proulx's short story, premiered in 2005. It tells the story of the relationship between two men - Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) - who fall in love in rural America in the 1960s, but their love runs into insurmountable social obstacles. The film received eight Oscar nominations, three of which it turned in - including the directing award.
In addition to the leads, the film also starred Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway. Brokeback Mountain quickly became a milestone in queer cinema and one of the first Hollywood films to portray love between two men without stereotypes and with great sensitivity.
A return to cinemas and posters
To mark its 20th anniversary, Brokeback Mountain returns to American cinemas for a limited time, with its first screenings on June 22 and 25. Distributor Focus Features said the film will also be accompanied by a new poster, themed merchandise and other initiatives to commemorate its cultural significance.
At the same time, its legacy is still being developed. In 2023, Annie Proulx's short story was adapted into theatrical form in London's West End. Mike Faist(Challengers) and Lucas Hedges(Boy Erased) appeared in the lead roles.
The generation that never forgets
Twenty years after its release, Brokeback Mountain continues to appeal to new generations of queer audiences. It offers not only timeless performances and a powerful story, but also a reminder of how crucial representation can be. For many viewers, the film became a mirror in which they saw themselves for the first time-with all the complexity, pain, and beauty of love finding its way against all odds.
