The Autry to screen "Brokeback Mountain" with readings and more

On Saturday, December 11th, 2010 the Autry National Center will present, in association with Focus Features, a 5th anniversary screening of the award-winning landmark film Brokeback Mountain followed by a staged reading of messages, essays, poetry, and music inspired by the film. The event is part of the acclaimed program Out West at the Autry, a series of public events focusing on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) history and culture in the West with gallery talks, film screenings, lectures, performances and other cultural events.

“Brokeback Mountain helped to bring wide attention to important conversations about LGBT issues in modern Western communities,” said Autry President and CEO Dan Finley. “This powerful film resonates deeply with the Autry’s own strong connection to the history of Western films as well as our mission to share and explore the inspiring stories of all the peoples of the American West.”

Independent curator and Out West at the Autry creator Gregory Hinton adapted for the stage selections of the 2007 book Beyond Brokeback: The Impact of a Film, which comprises compelling writing contributed to the website The Ultimate Brokeback Forum. Excerpts of poignant and humorous messages, essays, and poetry— by writers young and old, male and female, gay and straight—will be read after the Brokeback Mountain screening.

Accompanying the reading is the Brokeback-inspired song Meet Me on the Mountain written by composer Shawn Kirchner. Jeffrey Richardson, the Autry’s associate curator of Film and Popular Culture will present the film and introduce the reading by himself reading a passage from Beyond Brokeback. Six additional readers include Autry staffers and friends and supporters of Out West at the Autry from its inception.

Brokeback Mountain was produced and released by Focus Features in December 2005. Hinton worked with James Schamus, CEO of Focus Features to create this 5th anniversary commemoration—the only Brokeback Mountain anniversary screening of its kind.

“2010 has been a tough year for members of the gay, lesbian and transgender community with an epidemic of teen suicides, bullying, and disappointing setbacks in such highly charged issues as Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and equality marriage,” said Hinton. “After five years, Brokeback Mountain remains our most eloquent and cathartic outlet. I applaud Focus Features for the hospitality they have demonstrated by screening the film and the wisdom the Autry has shown by its ongoing support for Out West at the Autry.”

Inspired by the success of the program at the Autry, other institutions throughout the West will be working with Hinton to present Out West events. Details about future Out West programs at the Autry, as well as other institutions, will be announced on December 11th before the screening of Brokeback Mountain.

Out West at the Autry connects to the success of the Autry's recent installation of the iconic shirts worn by stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in the film, as well as the permanent inclusion of the International Gay Rodeo Association's (IGRA) archives into the Autry Library. (Both facilitated by Gregory Hinton.)

This event is free with admission to the Autry and is expected to sell out. Advance reservations are recommended. For more information the public may call 323-667-2000, x252 or visit www.TheAutry.org.