Brokeback Mountain Sells 1.4 Million Copies; Wal-Mart Sells DVD Despite Protests
Fri. April 7, 2006 12:00 AM by Kevin Wayne
The anti-gay American Family Association protests Wal-Mart over Brokeback
Hollywood, CA -
Ang Lee's 'gay-themed' Brokeback Mountain notched-up phenomenal sales of 1.4 million on the first day of release (Tuesday, April 4th).
"The remarkable first-day home entertainment sales are a testament to the film’s magnetic appeal and consumers’ avid desire to own a piece of cinematic history," said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
Brokeback scored over $83 million at the box office and picked up three Oscars, including Best Director for Ang Lee, and was the most-nominated film of the year.
Despite solid sales, the DVD release of the Academy Award-winning film has drawn the ire of the ultra-conservative American Family Association (AFA). The Mississippi-based AFA began flooding major retailers with complaints in advance of Tuesday's release of the critically-acclaimed DVD.
Wal-Mart has ignored the AFA's demand that the world’s largest retailer refuse to stock the DVD. The retailer's 3,900 U.S. locations are selling the DVD release and have prominently diplayed posters for the movie.
"Wal-Mart is trying to help normalize homosexuality in society," Randy Sharp, director of special projects for AFA, told the LA Times.
The American Family Association, which claims a membership of 3 million, has a history of intimidating retailers and businesses that are gay-friendly.
The AFA orchestrated an unsuccessful boycott of Ford Motor Company for advertising in gay-related news magazines such as The Advocate. Earlier this month the AFA reinstated its boycott of Ford.
Last May, the AFA took aim at Northfield, Illnois Kraft Foods - stopping just short of calling for a full boycott - for their sponsorship of the 2006 Gay Games to be held in Chicago this summer. Kraft remains a sponsor.
In response to the AFA Jolanda Stewart, a Wal-Mart spokesperson, said "Wal-Mart provides movie selections in our stores and online, recognizing that a broad segment of our customer base wants to buy the latest titles."
Pro-gay bloggers have encouraged readers to counter the AFA's initiative by purchasing a copy of Brokeback Mountain directly from their local Wal-Mart for the discounted price of $16.87.
"The remarkable first-day home entertainment sales are a testament to the film’s magnetic appeal and consumers’ avid desire to own a piece of cinematic history," said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
Brokeback scored over $83 million at the box office and picked up three Oscars, including Best Director for Ang Lee, and was the most-nominated film of the year.
Despite solid sales, the DVD release of the Academy Award-winning film has drawn the ire of the ultra-conservative American Family Association (AFA). The Mississippi-based AFA began flooding major retailers with complaints in advance of Tuesday's release of the critically-acclaimed DVD.
Wal-Mart has ignored the AFA's demand that the world’s largest retailer refuse to stock the DVD. The retailer's 3,900 U.S. locations are selling the DVD release and have prominently diplayed posters for the movie.
"Wal-Mart is trying to help normalize homosexuality in society," Randy Sharp, director of special projects for AFA, told the LA Times.
The American Family Association, which claims a membership of 3 million, has a history of intimidating retailers and businesses that are gay-friendly.
The AFA orchestrated an unsuccessful boycott of Ford Motor Company for advertising in gay-related news magazines such as The Advocate. Earlier this month the AFA reinstated its boycott of Ford.
Last May, the AFA took aim at Northfield, Illnois Kraft Foods - stopping just short of calling for a full boycott - for their sponsorship of the 2006 Gay Games to be held in Chicago this summer. Kraft remains a sponsor.
In response to the AFA Jolanda Stewart, a Wal-Mart spokesperson, said "Wal-Mart provides movie selections in our stores and online, recognizing that a broad segment of our customer base wants to buy the latest titles."
Pro-gay bloggers have encouraged readers to counter the AFA's initiative by purchasing a copy of Brokeback Mountain directly from their local Wal-Mart for the discounted price of $16.87.