Human Rights Campaign Equality Award for Director Ang Lee

Human Rights Campaign Equality Award for Director Ang Lee

Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee will be honored with the Human Rights Campaign Equality Award on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006, at HRC's Greater New York Gala Dinner.

"Ang Lee's vision is changing hearts and minds," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Ang Lee's career has been defined by bold artistic choices and Brokeback Mountain is no exception. Through his moving directorial work, Ang Lee proves the old adage, 'Love is love is love.' We are honored to be awarding Mr. Lee with the Human Rights Campaign's Equality Award."

Lee's Focus Features film " Brokeback Mountain," based on a novella by Annie Proulx, stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. The film has been racking up awards and nominations around the world including the Golden Lion Award for Best Picture at the Venice Film Festival this year, "Best Picture" nominations from New York and Los Angeles Film Critics Associations and has been nominated for 7 Golden Globes.

Born and raised in Taiwan, Lee moved to the United States in 1978. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater from the University of Illinois, he went on to New York University to complete a Masters of Fine Arts Degree in film production. At NYU, his short film "Fine Line" won Best Director and Best Film Awards at the NYU Film Festival.

Lee's first feature film, "Pushing Hands," was screened at the 1992 Berlin Film Festival and won Best Film at the Asian-Pacific Film Festival. The film was nominated for nine Golden Horse Awards, the Taiwanese equivalent to the Oscar. It was also the first film in Lee's' "Father Knows Best" trilogy. His next film, "The Wedding Banquet," premiered at the 1993 Berlin Festival, where the festival's top prize and went on to International acclaim. The film received Best-Foreign Language Film nominations from the Academy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards. The film also received six Independent Spirit Awards. It was the second film in Lee's "Father Knows Best" trilogy.

Lee's third feature film was the final entry in his trilogy: "Eat Drink Man Woman." The film was selected as the opening night feature for the Directors Fortnight series at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival; received Best Foreign-Language Film Festival by the National Board of Review.

In 1995, Lee directed "Sense and Sensibility," starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant. The film, adapted by Emma Thompson from Jane Austen's novel of the same name, was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, winning for Best Screenplay Adaptation. The film received Golden Globe Awards for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Cited on more than 100 critics' Ten Best lists, the film was named Best Picture by the Boston Film Critics and the National Board of Review. Lee was named Best Director by the New York Film Critics Circle, as well as by the Boston Society of Film Critics. When it was shown at the 1996 Berlin Film Festival, the film won the festivals top prize.

Ang next directed 1997's "The Ice Storm," adapted by James Schamus from Rick Moody's novel. The film starred Joan Allen, Kevin Klein, Sigourney Weaver, Christina Ricci and Tobey Maguire. "The Ice Storm" premiered at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival; was selected as the opening night film of the 1997 New York Film Festival; and went on to become one of the year's best reviewed films. He also directed "Ride with the Devil" starring Tobey McGuire.

In 2001, Lee directed "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won Best Picture at the Toronto Film Festival. Ang received a Golden Globe Award and a Directors Guild Award for Best Director. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" won 4 Academy Awards including Best Foreign Film. Lee also directed the "The Hulk" for Universal Studios starring Eric Bana and Jennifer Connelly.

The dinner and program begin at 7 p.m. at the Waldorf -Astoria Hotel. For tickets, visit www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc or call 1-800-494-TIXS (8497).