At first, I thought it would be hard to pick a film among the thousands I’ve seen, but then it seemed too easy. It was too obvious. Even if one says that it hasn’t passed the test of time, I’m sure BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN will always be remembered as one of the most breathtaking love stories of all time, along with Gone With The Wind and Casablanca, because of its mood, theme, structure, timing and craft.

The direction, the adaptation, the acting, the cinematography, the soundtrack… everything is impeccable and flawless. BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN won many, many awards. Too many to write them down now. The movie had a consensual critical acclaim around the world and not winning the Oscar for Best Film was just an Academy bad joke. The cult will grow and that will help.

But the importance of this piece of art was beyond the movie scene. Like American Beauty, it made the “mainstream” talk and think about uncomfortable matters like conscience, desire, homosexuality and family values.

This daring story of two cowboys in love had a major impact on societies around the world. Its cultural significance was huge and we can read the threads in the forums in many internet movie sites to see the real impact of this film everywhere.

Midnight Cowboy, The Graduate, Last Tango in Paris, Wizard of Oz, Singing in the Rain, Citizen Kane, Godfather(s)… Yes, I’ve seen them all. And yes… I believe they were ahead of their times. But what do they say about my life? How long were they in my mind and in my heart since the first time I saw them? Did they shake my soul? Did they make me discuss important matters with my friends?

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Taxi Driver… Fantastic movies that make us think about the society vs the individual. My follow-ups!

Universal themes: movies about love - Casablanca, It’s a Wonderful Life; movies about justice: Mr Smith Goes to Washington, 12 Angry Men; movies about despair: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Suddenly Last Summer, Rebel Without a Cause, A Streetcar Named Desire; movies about paranoia and conspiration theories: Hitchcock; movies about war: Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, Black Hawk Down…We see the real thing everyday live on television. (Of course these subjects are important to dissecate and develop, to help the audience understand and question them. But, so are Michael Moore documentaries and…)

All About Eve, Sullivan’s Travels, Terms of Endearment, Sophie’s Choice, Moonstruck… I just love these ironic, deep and powerful movies. And - more recently - Requiem for a Dream, Donnie Darko, The House of Sand and Fog and The Lives of Others. But with all these choices I still think that BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN is the most complete and balanced movie of them all. And it’s about love!