Heath Ledger for the documentary film 'I Am Heath Ledger'. Photo / Karin Catt
Heath Ledger for the documentary film 'I Am Heath Ledger'. Photo / Karin Catt
A new documentary is shining a light into previously unexplored corners of Heath Ledger's life.
The Australian actor was a master of his craft, an industry darling and, according to the new film, an aspiring director.
I Am Heath Ledger, directed by Derik Murray and Adrian Buitenhuis, delves into the late star's life and creative pursuits through interviews with Ledger's friends and family, and roughly 20 hours of home-video footage.
Heath Ledger for the documentary film 'I Am Heath Ledger'. Photo / Karin Catt
Buitenhuis came to the project without any connection to the family and had the tough job of convincing them to let him make the film.
"We had been kind of stonewalled because [Ledger's estate] were concerned we were going to make a film that was focused on his death and they were like, 'Heath was a private person, I don't know if he'd want a film made about him,'" says Buitenhuis.
But because his approach focused on Ledger's work rather than his death, Buitenhuis got the green light.
It was Ledger's best friend, Trevor Di Carlo, who set the project off by revealing Ledger ultimately wanted to be a director and was always looking for projects where he could work with and learn from certain directors. Di Carlo also provided some of the footage Ledger shot himself.
"That was a revelation for sure...we were so lucky to have all the friends and family get involved and use the archives that Heath created. He really documented his life along the way and I think that's what really hits people in the film, these unguarded moments from someone who's usually a very private person," says Buitenhuis.
Casting photo of Heath Ledger. Photo / Newspix/REX/Shutterstock.
The film spans Ledger's life in beautifully rich detail; from what he was like as a child to how he worked on his craft and rose through the ranks of Hollywood, evolving with each film. We see his involvement in producing music, how he opened his home to any and all of his friends, and his love for his family and in particular, his daughter Matilda.
This level of care and attention is why the film has drawn criticism for brushing past Ledger's well-publicised struggle with prescription drugs and ultimately, his death.
Even Buitenhuis admits he could've explored those issues further, but stands by the decision not to, saying his priority was Ledger's artistry.
"I don't want to fuel the fire further because that's all the conversation was about when he died and he has a daughter...I want her to be able to look at this film and be excited and proud of what her father created and not dwell on [his death]," says Buitenhuis.
"I'm not going to say that we couldn't have done more. I understand the criticism - for some reason people want to know more about how people died, it's part of human nature I think. But out of respect for the family and the project, and the fact that...I think there were about 20,000 stories about his death when it happened and that's all people focused on when they could've focused on his life."
Australian actor Heath Ledger. Photo / Supplied
The other major missing piece of the film is Michelle Williams, but Buitenhuis says she "was fully aware and gave us her blessing".
"Of course I wanted to interview her...but ultimately it was one of those things where I think she wasn't ready. Think about what a U-turn that would be; you've created a life for yourself, you've moved forward and that person is very present in your life still and you're not forgetting them, but to have someone just dig and dig, that's a lot."
While there may be major elements of Ledger's story missing, there's a new story to be told and new insights into the late star's life which paint a colourful picture of the impact he had on the industry and those around him.
"I think from the moment he came out of the womb he was Heath and he was ready to go and he was just this person who wanted to accomplish as much as he could in the time that he had," says Buitenhuis.
"Even people who hadn't spent that much time with him felt their lives had been changed profoundly by their interactions with him just because of the way he saw the world and the way he wanted to turn that into art...he was just a really magical person."
