Heath Ledger’s incredible rise to fame and subsequent tragic passing from an accidental drug overdose in 2008 will be explored in the upcoming documentary I Am Health Ledger. The film's first official trailer was released on Tuesday, in conjunction with what would have been the actor’s 38th birthday. The documentary will give fans a glimpse of the iconic actor’s life through the lens of his own camera, as he filmed the many highs and lows in his journey to stardom.
READ: Michelle Williams talks really candidly about Heath Ledger's tragic death
In the trailer, filmmaker Matt Amato, who was one of Heath’s closest friends, explains how The Dark Knight star struggled with the level of stardom he achieved. "He wanted fame — and then when he got it, he didn’t want it." The film features interviews with some of the people who knew Heath best, including: Naomi Watts, Emile Hirsch, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Ang Lee and Catherine Hardwicke, as well as close family and friends. Heath's longtime girlfriend and mother of his daughter, Michelle Williams, does not appear in the trailer and it is unclear if she was involved in the project.
Heath starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the groundbreaking film Brokeback Mountain
The documentary also explores Heath's humble beginnings in Australia to working in blockbuster movies in Hollywood, as well as highlights his very energetic nature. "Heath was the most alive human," says musician Ben Harper, adding: "And if it wasn’t on the edge, it didn’t interest him." I Am Heath will make its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on Apr. 23
The actor shared one daughter with his ex-fiancée Michelle Williams
This is not the first time the Perth native’s life has been remembered by people in the industry and family members. The Oscar-winner’s life was celebrated by his father Kim Ledger in an episode of the television series Too Young to Die. Then in 2015, the late actor’s best friend Jake Gyllenhaal told NPR how remarkable Heath was. "He was incredibly special, and that doesn’t even come close to encapsulating who he is – who he was," Jake said adding that he misses "him as a human being".
