Posted on 05/18/2006 12:28:59 PM PDT by DBeers
CANNONSBURG, Ky. -- An English teacher at an eastern Kentucky school hampered by division over gay issues showed a short snippet of "Brokeback Mountain" to her students in a class.
About 2 1/2 minutes of the film was shown last week in a senior cinematography class at Boyd County High School, Superintendent Howard K. Osborne said Thursday.
The brief showing of the film, which centers on the sexual relationship between two male sheepherders, upset at least one parent who had a student in the class. Nothing with sexual content was shown.
Osborne said "Brokeback Mountain" won't be shown again at the school. He declined to say if any action was taken against the teacher who showed the film.
"We've had an investigative inquiry and we've taken appropriate action," Osborne said. He declined to comment further, calling it a "personnel matter."
Osborne said there have been few complaints from parents over the showing of the film, which has been noted by critics for its rich photography. Director Ang Lee won the Oscar this year for best director.
Students in Boyd County have been divided in recent years over gay issues since a group of students petitioned to form a gay awareness club at the high school in 2002. A lawsuit ensued and the school district later settled. The agreement called for anti-harassment training for all staff and students.
Kelley Smith said she was upset the film was shown at all.
"This is a really bad time for all this to have happened," said Smith, whose 17-year-old son, Chris, was in the class. "If she wanted to show it in class she should have gotten parents permission and if some students wanted to see it, it should have been their choice."
>Th AP claims it was a "2 1/2 minute clip"............funny how our local paper here in Boyd County (The Daily Independent) had this about the "clip": "Teacher Ann Qualls showed about the first 15 to 20 minutes of the Oscar-wining movie..................".
Wonder how they got the 2 1/2 minute thing?<<
I have no idea what was in the first 15 minutes. I know when i taught high school they let me teach Clockwork Orange but I didn't even consider showing the movie.
The question is: Did it deserve that Oscar? I suspect that it was just inflating the movie (especially since the Academy didn't give it best picture) so that it could forever be called "an Oscar winning movie." Nor do I feel that "will & Grace" deserved as many Emmies as the show received during its tenure.
I can see the Brokeback High?
headline now. No, they may want to push the agenda slowly, but they want to sell papers more than anything. And a lead paragraph that leads something line this is guaranteed sales.
" Blahblah High School was put in hot water today when it was reported that Cinematography teacher John Doe showed explicit scenes from last years contreversial hit Brokeback Mountain in his class yesterday. Details on page 4."
Don't you think?
No 2.5 minute clip from this film, beginning, middle, or end should be shown in a public school, any more than some snippet of any length of "Pink Flamingos" should be shown. Its an
attempt to push an agenda in the same way that a sneak-preview is shown on movie trailers, or prior to the main movie at a theatre, or as a commercial on TV.
It is obvious that the esteemed AP is guilty of throwing some water on the flames by nationally reporting it was just a little two and a half minute clip, while we here know it was at least 15 minutes.
Also, one other salient point the AP has neglected to mention from the story in our paper:
"On Friday Qualls told the class some parents had complained to Supt. Howard K. Osborne and that she anticipated a possible suspension, Chris Smith (a student in her class) said. "She said she didn't give a s*** about it", he said.
Nice, huh?
Ummmmmmm.........guess who "appeared in the anti-harassment video, leading students in a roundtable discussion"?
That's right...........Ann Qualls!!!
No agenda my foot.
Don't believe me? Go to dailyindependent.com and check out the front page article.
How would someone voting for a Cinematography Oscar know that it wouldn't win Best Picture? It was a big favorite.
Most of the movie is that way. Lots of scenery. Lots of sheep. Lots of plodding along on horseback. I remember by the time THAT scene finally came about, I was nearly asleep.
Top Ten Old West Phrases That Will Never Sound The Same After That Damned
Gay Cowboy Movie !!!
1. "I'm gonna pump you fulla lead!"
2. "Give me a stiff one, barkeep!"
3. "Don't fret---I've been in tight spots before."
4. "Howdy, pardner."
5. You stay here while I sneak around from behind."
6. Two words: "Saddle Sore."
7. "Hold it right there! Now, move your hand, reeeal slow-like."
8. "Let's mount up!"
9. "Nice spread ya got there!"
10. "Ride'em cowboy!"
Yes, and Playboy is most noted for its excellent writing.
Okay, if there was no agenda, I'd rather the teacher used Pink Flamingos, then, for class discussions instead.
Look up Gay/Straight Alliance, a facade of tolerance that only advances the h.a.
The cinematography in Triumph of the Will gets praised too but you would hear a lot of outrage if that film was being screened in public schools to students.
(KY)
Depends on the context. Oh there would be complaints but it remains an important and innovative film.
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