Watching the documentary I am Heath Ledger for the first time was an “incredibly cathartic” experience, says Kate Ledger, the sister of the late Academy Award-winning actor.
Speaking to The Project last night, Kate opened up about her heartbreak seeing Heath’s life and legacy depicted on film, nine years after his death.
“I think I screamed and cried through the whole first viewing,” she said. “It’s quite a cathartic experience, I think, especially for our family.”
Kate explained it was the first time watching a lot of the vision of her brother, who was a notoriously private person.
“None of the footage that’s shown in the film actually came from the family. In fact, I didn’t know it was in there until I saw it myself,” she said.
“We’re very happy with the way it turned out.”
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28-year-old Heath died from a mix of prescription drugs and sleeping pills in 2008, leaving behind a daughter Matilda, now 11.
The Perth-born talent was known for his roles in 10 Things I Hate About You, Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight. While Kate still finds it difficult to watch his films, her daughters’ adore them.
“I now have 13-year-old girls who are wanting to see the films. So, through them I’m finding that it’s become a little easier for me to see the joy that it gives them,” she said.
I Am Health Ledger also includes rare footage of the Dark Knight Star as a child, dressed in a Batman costume.
“They were my leotards, by the way,” Kate joked on The Project. “It was kind of a surreal experience, I suppose, for him then to go on and be in a Batman movie.”
Another surprising revelation was her brother’s talent as a chess player.
“No-one could beat him from the age of about 10. So, my dad taught him, and then, I think, he regretted teaching him,” Kate recounted.
“He was only a few points off becoming, like, a grand master. It was a true passion of his.”
