Ang Lee's next is Dusty Moments

Ang Lee, nominated for Oscars 2006 with Brokeback Mountain, with a lesbian romantic movie Dusty Moments and potentially risks being called a director for homosexuality.

PRAVEENA SHIVRAM

23 February 2006
CHENNAI, INDIA 

A few years back, talking about same-sex relationships would have been met with either sacrilegious eyes, or that nonchalant air of uncomfortable acceptance. Now, to use the cliché, the skeletons are not just out of the closet, but are enjoying world-wide recognition (not always positive yet), a sense of celebration and acceptance, and the need to address this issue. Perhaps not in an obvious, rebellious manner, but in a seamless, guileless way.

With Brokeback Mountain, a gay romantic film taking in 11 nominations at the 2006 Oscars (an example of acceptance perhaps?), Ang Lee is the filmmaker of the moment. Having already won the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) award for best film and best director, Brokeback Mountain is the much-sought after film this season. And now, Ang Lee is all set to direct his next -- this time, a lesbian romantic movie, based on the legendary musician, Dusty Springfield.

With Charlize Theron touted to be one to essay the role of Dusty Springfield, Kate Moss has been roped in to be one of Dusty's early love interests. Dusty Springfield, popularly known as the "White Lady of Soul" remains one of UK's greatest female singers in history. Her repertoire was mainly a mixture of soul and pop that she divined into a particular style of her own.

The film is said to trace her life from Hampstead, North London where she was born, to the time in 1999, when she died of breast cancer. Her music, like her life, had many tumultuous twists and turns. Be it either when she broke free from the trio, The Springfields (the band that launched her as a singer), to solo status, or her personal life, where one relationship (the one which Kate Moss will play) breaks her heart, and starts a series of other disastrous relationships.

Dusty Springfield might have been inspired by the jazz singer Peggy Lee. But she herself, later in her career, veered completely towards Afro-American music. Dusty's love affair with R&B sound, led people to say, "she had a voice almost too black to be white". In fact, Cliff Richards nicknamed her the "White Negress". 

The grapevine says that Charlize Theron has been approached for the role of Dusty -, a perfect choice, many trade analysts feel. Charlize, who won critical acclaim and took home an Oscar for her role in the film Monster, where she plays the role of a homosexual, has also acted in another lesbian film with Penelope Cruz titled Head in the Clouds.

As Ang Lee basks in the limelight, Dusty Moments has already managed to trigger an interest in Hollywood. Will this be another award-winning venture is left to speculation, but will it be a film that tastefully and sensitively portrays same-sex relationships? Going by Brokeback Mountain, that is a definite yes.