Ang Lee: Asian audiences more accepting of gay subject
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-21 22:04

Director Ang Lee said Saturday he thinks Asian audiences are generally more accepting of gay subject matter than Americans, after a movie theater in the US state of Utah owned by a Mormon abruptly pulled his new film, the gay cowboy romance "Brokeback Mountain."

Director Ang Lee attends a news conference to promote his film "Brokeback Mountain" in Taipei January 19, 2006. Lee won a Golden Globe award for best director for the film.

Lee noted one of his previous movies about a gay couple, "The Wedding Banquet," received a less restrictive categorization in his Taiwan than in the US. "Actually, if you compare the two, I think Asian society is more open," he said at an event promoting "Brokeback Mountain" in Hong Kong.

"I saw for myself - after the showing of 'The Wedding Banquet,' Taiwan has become more open on this topic (of homosexuality) than the US," Lee said.

"I think there's pressure to condemn (homosexuality) in their (Americans') religion which causes their homophobia," he said.

The movie theater that canceled "Brokeback Mountain" in Utah is owned by Larry H. Miller, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormon church.

The church has spent millions of dollars campaigning against gay marriage and considers homosexual acts grounds for excommunication.

Miller, who also owns the NBA team Utah Jazz, has not explained the decision to pull the movie.

However, "Brokeback Mountain" has also faced resistance in Asia. Its Malaysian distributor has said it won't release the film in the predominantly Muslim country.

Lee said he didn't consider possible backlash against "Brokeback Mountain" in the US a big loss.

"If Americans don't watch the movie, then they don't watch the movie. It's not a big deal. It's their problem, not mine," Lee said with laughter.

"I feel sorry for them because they missed a good film. It's their loss. It's a small movie so we don't need to make that much money," he said.

Lee said acceptance of gays needs to happen over time.

"It takes education, gradually getting used to it (homosexuality), for us to become more civilized. I got used to it slowly too," he said.

"Brokeback Mountain" has won Lee numerous accolades going into the Oscar season, including the top award at the Venice Film Festival last year and best director honors at the recent Golden Globe awards.