In humanity we trust ...

Rating: 8/10 (28 March 2006)

Europeans may sometimes seem like the stubborn aristocrat that does not want to give in to the changes and the challenges of our times. Europeans might also seem to be quite infatuated with themselves, keeping up the appearances and sometimes even acting in a haughty way, when addressing the US and other big nations. Honestly speaking as a citizen of a tiny nation, this might indeed be more the case than we would lake to admit.
To the same extent however, there does exist an important critique to this attitude. And this voice comes from the cultural arena. Concerning films, it gives the European film even a special kind of appeal to its public, in that it reflects critically about past and present, where other films prefer to defer from it.
Well, If You would start wondering where Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain fits into this somewhat peculiar piece of text ... I can reply that, with Brokeback Mountain, Hollywood has shown that it can be critical, and that it can show the hidden sides too ... but most of all: that it can create a really strong feeling of identification with the US. Hailed by every newspaper, succeeding even the inquisitions of the harshest cinema commentators ... with every movie theater - even those who claim to show only European movies! - receiving the tapes with open arms. And the public? They love it! Whether straight or gay, old or young, ... the all trust in love, and the honesty with which the theme is handled. Openness. And I think that's the essence of it: Ang Lee has, rather than making a movie about gay love, succeeded in making a magnificent movie about human love, be it male love. The anthem might be: In human love we trust!