Annie Proulx on 'Brokeback Mountain'

Acclaimed US novelist and short story writer Annie Proulx was in Melbourne in March 2011 for a Wheeler Centre/Melbourne Writers Festival event promoting her latest book, 'Bird Cloud'. In this video excerpt, Proulx talks about the origins of her short story, 'Brokeback Mountain'.

[@LusciousTwinkle]

Never have I cried so hard at a film....I wish it had been a happy ending....It was sad enough....

[@seasidecharles]

Thanks for putting this up. Annie Proulx comes across as a modest, feet-on-the -ground sort of woman. I so admire her spare and powerful writing. The film Brokeback Mountain has brought her so much publicity, but people should not only focus on that story. For a start, read all 3 in the Wyoming stories books, they are wonderfully descriptive. I must say though, that Brokeback is a story that packs a hell of a powerful punch, completely unforgettable. A modern classic. Thank you, Annie Proulx.

[@friendlier]

I got to interview Annie Proulx for a magazine a couple of years ago. I have done many such phone interviews over the years, but she was different. She was very interested in my background and my family, and where I was from, I think as a way of connecting before we started the more formal Q&A. She also has a great sense of humor that had me giggling (and I'm a middle-aged man) throughout. So, not only one of the best American writers, but an utterly delightful person as well.

[@Paul5520]

Great Film. Will go down in history for its content at a fairly reserved time.

[@ProseSword]

Great story. I'm reading the short story now and I think the movie is one of the best films ever made. Very human performances, just riveting. What I really like is how the cowboys are really bi-sexual, at least one of them is, and the other fights for his identity as a straight man, but the power of love overcomes him. It's beautifully done and I think most men are uncomfortable with it because it rings so true to real life. Bravo, Annie Proulx. You've told an important story.

[@brackenalexander1163]

BoardGameNerd Maybe it’s just me, but I really don’t think either of them were bisexual. At least not completely.

[@rishabhrox1]

I personally don't think they're bisexual. They're just two gay people living in a very conservative and sexually narrow-minded time and place. I think Ennis was gay, he just wasn't as outgoing and sexually active and was more interested in the emotional company and support he got from Jack, who himself was gay but had a little more interest in the physical aspect of their relationship. Both of them complemented each other so well, and that's why it hurts to see them not getting together at the film's end. But I firmly believe they were gay, manly but gay. They only married to fit in the society of their time.

[@georget3953]

they definitely weren’t bisexual at least i really don’t think they were

[@fdjgkhfsdkghfskjghdf_]

@@rishabhrox1agreed

[@soulpwner]

I read Brokeback Mountain last year. It's a beautifully written love story as well as a cogent social commentary. Great interview!

[@jmo5037]

It wouldn't have been so painful had the movie won the awards they deserved and Heath Ledger not died. The cast should come together for a reunion.

[@seasidecharles]

Why would you say that she "seems to be a lesbian" ? She isn't, and so what if she is ? She is a talented writer, and that is how she will always be remembered.

[@59771006]

The film's popularity has inspired numerous viewers to write their own versions of the story and send these to Proulx. In 2008, Proulx said she wished she had never written the 1997 short story which inspired the film, because she has received so much fan fiction presenting alternative plots: [The film] is the source of constant irritation in my private life. There are countless people out there who think the story is open range to explore their fantasies and to correct what they see as an unbearably disappointing story. She said the authors, mostly men who claim to "understand men better than I do", often send her their works: They constantly send ghastly manuscripts and pornish rewrites of the story to me, expecting me to reply with praise and applause for "fixing" the story. They certainly don't get the message that if you can't fix it you've got to stand it.

[@a.m.308]

Instead of rewriting the story, I wish they should have just written a prequel about that other gay cowboy that Ennis talked about, who was killed for living with a rancher.

[@castoono9835]

Ma'am you're such a genius.

[@godlyblessedliibaangodisgo4394]

Thank You God for this video❤

[@Spiritual-Log]

This a great story.. i feel unlucky that i watched the movie before reading the book.

[@Billie0708]

Heath Ledger performance as Ennis Del Mar is the best Subtle performance of the 21st Century follow by Casey Affleck in Manchester by the Sea.

[@thatgirlreacts5465]

Omg I love both movies and these actors’ work!!!

[@cornel2064]

I had a problem with the jeans they were. In 1963 there were no, skinny low waist jeans. But I like the movie, have it on DVD. And still not tired of it.

[@gregf9160]

Maybe the old cowboy was just reflecting and being wistful for his youth. Nothing sexual.

[@murdermygymsox]

Greg F Well, it doesn’t really matter. She wrote an incredible story about two cowboys, not the cowboy she saw in the bar. He was just her inspiration.

[@runemrick]

Calgary is in Alberta. Alberta is the size of Texas. Thanks for a great story though.

[@LusciousTwinkle]

So how did your story come to be????

[@Rkid1999]

She wrote it...

[@LusciousTwinkle]

@@Rkid1999 You dont know much about art do you?

[@laruefromtheblue]

I went cross-country when I was 23 and we stopped in Ten Sleep WY. She is not kidding. We were almost killed.

[@LusciousTwinkle]

PSSJ ...Please ...for your own sanity and health and well-being, please take a look at some atheism sites and see why atheism is growing faster than any religion.There is no God...All we have is empathy to tell us right from wrong.The film was sad because it was the age old tale of unrequited love..not just lust ,but love..They couldnt be together because of the sick twisted archaic and outdated religion that is christianity.Set yourself free.Find love for yourself..You dont need god to be good.

[@jesuisravi]

I don't know anything about atheism vs theism or about what we need to be good--I do know this, and all of history shouts it: God ain't going away anytime soon (anytime ever, for that matter). People seem to be able to get away without God, or, if you like, the idea of God, pretty well when times are flush; but let there be wars, famine, plague, economic crashes, and any of the other inevitable slings and arrows flesh is heir to, and everyone's mouth is full of "Please God this and Please God that..." We are wired that way. l wonder why?

[@budd2nd]

Yeah, it’s not just Christianity, but ALL the Abrahamic religions. Before them, the world was far, far more tolerant. Check out the Ancient Greeks or Romans. They weren’t hampered by this homophobic rubbish

[@rabbitheartx]

I don't have anything against a believe (like in god) as long as the people don't hurt anybody with it ... even christian people are nice people with norms and rules that are meant to help having a fullfilled life... and even their believe force them to help anyone who is in need... yeah sure there were some of them who didn't understand their believe as they should so they hurt people who are like in love with their own gender and hurt their feelings too but It's not a god who made people being like this... It's the people themself. being a religious person was never a bad thing (in my opinion)

[@Paul5520]

Lola Twinkle thank you for pointing that out but I doubt people needed you to tell them what they might be interested in believing. Most of us self reflect on these things and if believing in god makes you happy good for you, if not, the same applies. One things for sure, religion is to blame for most of the trouble in this world. Believe in loving your fellow human being first.

[@DieVorleserin-ok8zr]

Excuse me, but I actually know more homophobic atheists than homophobic christians. I know christians in the USA can be quiet radical and weird but homophobia doesn’t have its spring in christianity. Why would Thai people be homophobic if this was the case? I am a christian and I go with „Love your neighbor as yourself“. This got no condition. Why would I say something against love as a christian? So not every homophobic is religious and not every christian is homophobic. There is no black and white in this world.

[@alienzardsketter.9076]

There is a curse on the people that stole this story from me I wrote it in gay chat room in 1997 the curse will not be lifted until all the truth comes out this story came from great pain and suffering and is very quotes from real people lives that were taken and used stolen the truth always comes out but until then the curse will never leave for the ones that knows there thievery of another's pain and suffering keep the silence keep the curse ....until the silence is broken and the truth is known .

[@Rkid1999]

Got any proof?

[@misterbaghead]

Nice to see her perspective. Great story.