‘So influential that it would help spark crucial debates about gay marriage over the years after its release.’

The 2006 Oscars saw Brokeback Mountain gain its well-deserved recognition with eight nominations including Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Picture. However, it only won three Academy Awards: Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director for Ang Lee. Despite these wins, further controversy sparked when Brokeback Mountain lost to Paul Haggis’ ‘Crash’ for best picture, causing an uproar as people claimed it had been robbed of a deserved win. In my eyes, all members of the cast deserved an Oscar for their incredible performances, with Heath Ledger standing out as an obvious winner.

Brokeback Mountain has gone on to be one of the most well-known LGBTQ+ films of all time, with its story being so influential that it would help spark crucial debates about gay marriage over the years after its release. It would also go on to influence more LGBTQ+ cinema, helping pave the way for films such as Call Me By Your Name, Moonlight and Carol, which have also received great acclaim amongst awards shows and audience members alike. It is clear to see that Brokeback Mountain had a large impact on LGBTQ+ cinema we see today as well as the world around us, challenging hostile views and providing the representation needed to make a change. Through its phenomenal acting, memorable scenes and raw emotion, Brokeback Mountain has certainly earned its place as one of the most remarkable, moving romances of all time.