Jake Gyllenhaal has paid tribute to Heath Ledger in an emotional BAFTAs speech.
Speaking about the impact of Brokeback Mountain, which was released in 2005, Gyllenhaal recalled what it was like to work with Ledger and director, Ang Lee.
The movie was released in 2005 (Focus Features)
The movie is set in 1960s Wyoming and explores the forbidden love of two ranch-hands forced to deny their true feelings for one another.
Brokeback Mountain was released around two years before Ledger’s death in January 2008.
During that year, Ledger’s final film – The Dark Knight – hit cinema screens, earning him worldwide acclaim for his role as the Joker.
Ledger died aged just 28, having accidentally overdosed on prescription medication while the movie was in post-production.
Speaking about his co-star at the 2018 BAFTAs, Gyllenhaal paid an emotional tribute to Ledger, explaining how he would have ‘loved’ to witness the ‘incredible change’ since the movie was released.
He said: “Heath, Ang and I were at the centre of a storm that year, fielding the praise and controversy that came from telling a love story about two men.
“Standing here tonight, I can’t help but think about Heath, and how much he would’ve loved to witness all of this incredible change that has been effected in the LGBT community in the intervening years.
“He would be proud to know that he had somehow played a small part in all of it.
“I know that I am. And even though Brokeback was very much a movie of its moment in history, Ang made sure that it would stand the test of time.”
Gyllenhaal and Ledger starred in the movie together (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Following the release of the movie in the early noughties, Ledger gave a brilliant response to a reporter who asked what his response would be to those branding the film ‘disgusting’.
Ledger began by saying that anyone harbouring homophobic views is ‘immature’ and urged them to ‘get over’ the fact Brokeback Mountain is a love story about two men.
He said: “I think it’s a real shame. Well, I think it’s immature, for one, really immature. But I think it’s an incredible shame that people go out of their way to voice their disgust or negative opinions about the way two people wish to love one another.”
Ledger continued: “Come on. At least voice your opinions on how two people show hate and violence and anger towards each other, isn’t that more important? I think so. It doesn’t really concern me. I think it’s a shame. But I also feel like it’ll surprise people.
“Unfortunately people are very quick in life to label something they’re uncomfortable with. It transcends a label. It’s human. It’s a story of two human beings, two souls that are in love. Get over the fact that there’s two men – that’s the point.”
