Heath Ledger's last girlfriend speaks out
Heath Ledger's last girlfriend Gemma Ward has paid tribute to the late actor in her first interview since his death in January (08). The Australian model credits Ledger with helping her discover acting, and describes how he always "operated from the heart". Ward tells the Sydney Morning Herald, "He really, really knew that if he was going to make a decision to be in a film, then he needed to be really committed to it. He operated from heart. "He wasn't afraid to fight with people, he wasn't afraid to

Not just a pretty face
This week she denied rumours that she had ditched the catwalk for the silver screen, but adding acting to her CV paid off big-time last night for the top-earning Perth model Gemma Ward, 20, who won a cinema industry award that has previously gone to Geoffrey Rush, Eric Bana, Heath Ledger and Russell Crowe. Ward was named Australian Star of the Year for her first film, The Black Balloon, about a family with an autistic son. The warm-hearted drama also starred Toni Collette, Erik Thomson, Luke Ford and Rhys W

Black Balloon
In this Australian film from the producer of STRICTLY BALLROOM, Thomas (Rhys Wakefield, HOME AND AWAY) has a lot to contend with. Not only has the teenager just moved to a new school, but he also has to take care of his older brother Charlie (Luke Ford, THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR), who is autistic. As Thomas struggles in his relationship with Charlie, he also tries to win the heart of his new girlfriend (Gemma Ward, THE STRANGERS). THE BLACK BALLOON also stars Toni Collette (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE)

See It or Skip It: The Black Balloon
Uplifting and unexpected, The Black Balloon, writer-director Elissa Down’s touching semi-autobiographical film centers around Thomas (19-year-old Rhys Wakefield in a remarkable performance) as he tries to fit into to his family’s new home. Desperate to assimilate and win the affections of Jackie (Gemma Ward), Thomas has to grapple with his pregnant mother (the imminently watchable Toni Collete), a father who likes to consult with his teddy bear, Rex (Erik Thomson) and his severely autistic brother, Char

WIN One of Ten 'The Strangers' Prize Packs!!
Arriving on DVD October 21st from Universal Home Entertainment is Bryan Bertino's summer smash-hit, The Strangers, which stars Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman, Gemma Ward, Kip Weeks and Laura Margolis. To celebrate the release of the film, we've been supplied with ten "Prize Packs" for some lucky B-D reader to win, read on to see how to enter. Inspired by true events, this heart pounding, nail-biting frightener mercilessly explores our most universal fears, where simply opening the door to a stranger leads to a

The Black Balloon: Trailer
When Thomas (Rhys Wakefield) and his family move to a new home and he has to start at a new school, all he wants is to fit in. When his pregnant mother (Toni Collette) has to take things easy, his father Simon (Erik Thomson) puts him in charge of his autistic older brother Charlie (Luke Ford). Thomas, with the help of his new girlfriend Jackie (Gemma Ward), faces his biggest challenge yet. Charlie's unusual antics take Thomas on an emotional journey that causes his pent-up frustrations about his brother

Heath Ledger’s Apartment Too Spooky To Rent
According to a report, no one wants to live in the pricey Soho apartment in which Heath Ledger died. The three-bedroom, 4,400-square-foot Manhattan apartment, where the Aussie actor died of an accidental drug overdose, has been taken off the market. It’s been on the market since July — after Heath died there in January — and nobody has been willing to spring for the $26,000-a-month rent. The paper claims that the reason the place is vacant most likely is because of “its spooky provenance