Heath Ledger
Actor Heath Ledger poses during a photocall at the 56th Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin in this February 15, 2006 file photo. Ledger has been posthumously nominated for best supporting actor for his role in "The Dark Knight" in the 81st Academy Awards, announced in Beverly Hills January 22, 2009. The Oscars were awarded February 22, 2009 in Hollywood. Reuters/Arnd Wiegmann

The documentary “I Am Heath Ledger” opened in Perth cinemas on Thursday, May 11. Friends and relatives of the late actor attended the premiere, which happened on Tuesday. The film explores the life of late Perth-born star Heath Ledger. It contains extensive footage shot by the actor himself.

Ledger died at the age of 28 due to an accidental overdose of prescription medication, when he has already made a mark for himself in Hollywood with movies like "Brokeback Mountain" and "The Dark Knight." The documentary, directed by Derik Murray, delves into the actor's childhood in Perth, Australia, from his rise in Hollywood to the end of his life's journey.

The film kicks off with a monologue by Heath’s friend Ben Harper, who gets emotional when he says that his friend deserved to live longer. The camera then shows the actor's childhood pictures, which were provided by his father Kim, mother Sally and sister Kate. He is shown growing up in Perth then moving to the United States, where he bags a role in the teen comedy "10 Things I Hate About You."

The film features interviews not only with Heath’s co-stars Naomi Watts, Djimon Hounsou and Emile Hirsch, but also with his directors Catherine Hardwicke and Ang Lee. However, the documentary lacks interviews with girlfriend Michelle Williams and their daughter Matilda, who chose to stay away from the public eye after the death of the actor.

The film does not also explore the death of the actor and how the overdose happened. Instead, the main aim of the movie is to showcase Ledger's life and his achievements in a short span of time. The film does suggest, though, that Ledger suffered from pneumonia and lack of sleep.

The movie had a profound effect on the actor's family, especially on Kate, who said that she was emotionally distraught while watching it. "I think I screamed and cried through the whole first viewing," she told The Project, adding that “I Am Heath Ledger” was a “cathartic experience for our family."

Though it has been nine years since his brother passed away, it is still difficult for the Ledger family to watch the movie and see him on screen. However, Kate has said that her teenage girls are now interested to know more about their uncle, and she does not want to miss the chance to watch her brother's films with them.

“I Am Heath Ledger” is scheduled for a limited release. It will be screened in a number of cinemas across Australia starting May 11. The list of these cinemas can be found on iamheathledger.com.au.

RELATED STORIES