Park City, UT - The Sundance Film Festival turned quiet and mournful as the news of Heath Ledger's death started showing up on computers and blackberries across Park City. Whispers spread through crowds at theaters as smiling faces suddenly became downcast. On Main Street, all I could hear was people on cell phones saying, "oh my God, have you heard. I can't believe it." While Heath Ledger's work touched the world, the independent film world, many of who have worked with him, have felt his passing even more so.

A.O. Scott of the The New York Times noted his passing in "Prince of Intensity With a Lightness of Touch" [www.nytimes.com]. "Indiewire" [www.indiewire.com] posted a remembrance from the Sundance Film Festival. Nick Tanner [film.guardian.co.uk] at The Guardian reports on the touching tributes coming in from around the world. The Australian [www.theaustralian.news.com.au] reports his passing as a tragedy for the whole nation of Australia (the birthplace and home of Heath Ledger).

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Peter Bowen

Editor, FilmInFocus.com