Snappers aim at Heath
From: Daily Telegraph
By Michael Bodey

January 13, 2006



HOLLYWOOD "It couple", Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams, stepped out at the Sydney premiere of Academy Award favourite Brokeback Mountain last night.
But the newly reformed bad boy had his mettle tested when rogue paparazzi photographers sprayed him and Williams with water on the red carpet in an effort to provoke him back to his old ways.

A startled but unruffled Ledger ignored the attack and continued into the cinema at Fox Studios.

Earlier Ledger was downbeat about the furor over his new movie.

"It's a little over-hyped," Ledger told of the contentious and successful tale of two male ranch-hands who fall in love while camping in the mountains.

"The fact it's controversial is a little silly," he said. "It got a little out of hand but I am glad the movie has transcended the gay cowboy title and people are seeing it as a beautiful story."

Indeed, Hollywood sees the film as a clear Oscar favourite and Ledger's performance a career-forming one.

Ledger plays it down though. "It's definitely an honour to be part of a film that's been well received," he said with a grin.

"Michelle and I don't go home and talk about this hype, we try not to get too excited about it. And now we've got a beautiful distraction at home too, so we're lucky."

The distraction is their daughter, three-month-old Matilda.

Williams is clearly smitten, carrying the curiosity of a parent still finding her way.

At least Sydney's welcomed Williams, who describes herself as "just some nice quiet girl from Montana".

"We definitely see it as a second home," Williams said. "We're really set on making that commitment to this city even though it is more difficult to be here because we're more visible here than in (New York's) Brooklyn."

Ledger, Williams and Matilda leave Sydney today for Los Angeles where both actors are nominated for Monday's Golden Globe Awards.

Ledger is in a Golden Globe showdown with Philip Seymour Hoffman.

LEDGER & WILLIAMS SPRAYED AT AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
ContactMusic.com
14 January 2006


Hollywood couple HEATH LEDGER and MICHELLE WILLIAMS were soaked on the red carpet at the Australian premiere of their new film BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN when a cheeky photographer sprayed them with a water pistol.

The couple were signing autographs and posing for photos yesterday (13JAN06) when the snapper pulled out an orange gun and sprayed them with water before fleeing the scene.

Other photographers, who were also sprayed in his candid camera attack, gave chase and apprehended the prankster in a nearby Sydney street.

Ledger, who has been known to lash out at the media in his homeland, wasn't going to let the incident ruin his big night, but he told reporters after the screening, "It's a little embarrassing. It's not the nicest send off before you go home."

14/01/2006 01:23

Snappers banned after Ledger shootout
January 14, 2006 - 11:14PM
theAge.com.au


Three paparazzi photographers will be banished from the red carpet after spraying movie star Heath Ledger with water pistols, while the star considers laying assault charges.

Film distributor Roadshow said photographers Peter Carrette, Pierre Smithdorf and Guy Finlay would not be invited back to cover celebrity film events, Fairfax newspapers reported.

The photographers targeted Ledger for a soaking as the Hollywood heart-throb arrived at Fox Studios in Sydney on Friday for the Sydney premiere of his new film, Brokeback Mountain.

They claimed it was retaliation after Ledger allegedly spat at them during a previous confrontation.

"In terms of banning them, we would certainly never give them official accreditation again," Roadshow managing director Joel Pearlman told the Fairfax press.

"It was sad to see such a silly and implausible act mar a premiere which was also a public event. It was just incredibly unfair and extremely disappointing."

Ledger was considering laying assault charges, saying he was left "shaken up, stunned and furious", News Limited reported.

"Heath wants to file assault charges," News Limited quoted a Roadshow Films spokesperson as saying.

"He wants to call the police and get them involved. He's totally shaken up by it."


Australian Associated Press

Pistol-packing paparazzi shoot themselves in the foot

By Christine Sams and Hannah Edwards
January 15, 2006



ROGUE paparazzi will not be allowed to cover celebrity film events, after three photographers used water pistols on Heath Ledger.

Roadshow film distributors, the company releasing Brokeback Mountain in Australia, has declared that troublemakers will never be invited back. "We would certainly never give them official accreditation again," Roadshow managing director Joel Pearlman said yesterday.

Ledger and his girlfriend and co-star, Michelle Williams, were sprayed with water pistols during the Sydney premiere of Brokeback Mountain at Fox Studios.

Celebrity photographers Peter Carrette, Pierre Smithdorf and Guy Finlay sprayed the stars with water.

Other celebrities who attended the event reacted with outrage to the photographers' behaviour.

Fashion designer Collette Dinnigan was at the premiere, and while she did not see the incident, she said it was offensive behaviour.

"I don't think it would be a nice thing to get all dressed up, promoting your film and for that to happen," Dinnigan said. "I think it would be quite insulting, actually."

Designer Peter Morrissey, who was also at the event, said the actions were "unnecessary", particularly after Ledger's recent moves to stem his bad-boy reputation. "If someone has acted bad and is now acting good they should not be reminded of the bad times," Morrissey said.

Mr. Pearlman said it was a credit to Ledger that he stayed calm throughout the incident. Soon after, Ledger introduced the film to audiences in two separate cinemas.

"I have to say Heath was incredibly dignified," said Mr Pearlman. "That really is the measure of Heath - he got on with the job. It was sad to see such a silly and implausible act mar a premiere which was also a public event."

Photographer Peter Carrette sent a bunch of flowers to apologise to Michelle Williams yesterday, and included Ledger on the note. Carrette said he had given 12 roses to Williams. "She was just an innocent bystander," he said. Carrette said he had received calls from London and New York about the Sydney episode.

The Ledger incident follows a similar act against American actor Tom Cruise and his actor girlfriend, Katie Holmes, who were sprayed with water from a fake microphone while attending a premiere in London.

Ledger, who will attend the Golden Globes in Los Angeles on Tuesday (Australian time), was due to fly out of Sydney late yesterday. Ledger and Russell Crowe are up against Americans Philip Seymour Hoffman, David Strathairn and Terrence Howard in the best actor category.

The ceremony is being held at the Beverly Hilton hotel, in Los Angeles, and will be televised globally to millions of viewers.

Despite being the hot favourite in the US for his role in Brokeback Mountain, Ledger said he is not assuming he will win a Golden Globe. "I'm certainly not expecting it or writing any speeches," said Ledger. "I'm not really one to sit back and admit I would ever deserve something like that.

"I honestly feel the actors around me this year are much better actors, with a broader range of work behind them, who deserve it."



from: theAge.com.au

Ledger flies out of Australia
January 15, 2006
Heath Ledger is sprayed with water by photographers holding water pistols at the premiere of his movie.


Hollywood star Heath Ledger has left Australia hours after being sprayed by water pistols at the Sydney premiere of his new film.

A group of paparazzi photographers targeted Ledger for a soaking as he arrived with partner and co-star Michelle Williams at Fox Studios last night for the premiere of his latest flick, Brokeback Mountain - a gay love story about two cowboys.

The photographers defended their actions, describing it as retaliation for a previous incident in which Ledger allegedly spat at them.

The Hollywood heart-throb and Williams left Sydney this afternoon, movie distributor Roadshow Films said tonight.

The couple were reportedly heading for Los Angeles ahead of the 2006 Golden Globe awards.

Roadshow managing director Joel Pearlman criticised the paparazzi involved in last night's water-pistol confrontation.

"The actions of three foolish photographers is an embarrassment to the rest of Sydney's media, many of whom enjoyed a positive experience with the two Brokeback Mountain stars during their publicity tour," he said in a statement today.

- AAP

Heath Not Happy
By PHILLIP KOCH and NICK PAPPS
15 January 2006



HOME-grown Hollywood star Heath Ledger was yesterday considering laying assault charges against three paparazzi photographers who attacked him with water pistols at the premiere of Brokeback Mountain.

"It's really disappointing," a furious Ledger said in an interview at his multi-million dollar mansion at Sydney's Bronte Beach yesterday morning.

Ledger was left shaken, stunned and furious after the three photographers pulled out water pistols and sprayed him and partner, actor Michelle Williams, with water on the red carpet at Fox Studios.

He wants to file assault charges, a Roadshow Films spokesperson said at Friday night's premiere.

"He wants to call the police and get them involved. He is totally shaken up by it."

Ledger -- who flew back to the US yesterday afternoon for the Golden Globe Awards on Tuesday -- would not comment further on the incident.


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