'He wanted fame and then when he got it, he didn't want it': Footage of Heath Ledger before his tragic death seen in new trailer for I Am Heath Ledger doco as his friends reflect on his legacy

By Simone Amelia For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 20:16 EDT, 10 May 2017 | Updated: 20:51 EDT, 10 May 2017

Heath Ledger's friends and family speak about how the acclaimed actor was emotionally torn about his star status in Hollywood in a new trailer for I Am Heath Ledger.

The teaser features snippets of interviews from the documentary, which started a one week-only run in Australian cinemas on Thursday.

It also contains footage of the late star before his tragic and untimely death in January 2008. 

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Conflicted: In a new trailer for I Am Heath Ledger, his friends and family speak openly about how the acclaimed actor was emotionally torn about his star status in Hollywood 

Conflicted: In a new trailer for I Am Heath Ledger, his friends and family speak openly about how the acclaimed actor was emotionally torn about his star status in Hollywood 

The heartthrob is seen filming himself and others with his favourite video camera, goofing around in his family's home in Perth and playing the guitar.

'He wanted fame and then when he got it, he didn't want it,' reflects Matt Amato, the executive producer of the documentary. 

Meanwhile, Heath's childhood friend N'fa Forster-Jones speaks about his friend's reticence to indulge in his rising celebrity status.

'I'm not going to be that guy, and I'll show you,' he says of his longtime pal.

Despite his hesitancy to submit to fame he was an undeniable Hollywood star, according to his Brokeback Mountain director, Ang Lee.

 New footage: The heartthrob is seen filming himself and others with his favourite video camera, goofing around in his family's home in Perth and playing the guitar 

 New footage: The heartthrob is seen filming himself and others with his favourite video camera, goofing around in his family's home in Perth and playing the guitar 

'He wanted fame and then when he got it, he didn't want it,' reflects Matt Amato, the executive producer of the documentary

'He wanted fame and then when he got it, he didn't want it,' reflects Matt Amato, the executive producer of the documentary

Tragedy: The Perth-born actor died in January 2008 in New York City. He is pictured here with his partner Michelle Williams and their daughter Matilda in 2007

Tragedy: The Perth-born actor died in January 2008 in New York City. He is pictured here with his partner Michelle Williams and their daughter Matilda in 2007

Celebrity: Despite his hesitancy to submit to fame he was an undeniable Hollywood star, according to his Brokeback Mountain director, Ang Lee

Celebrity: Despite his hesitancy to submit to fame he was an undeniable Hollywood star, according to his Brokeback Mountain director, Ang Lee

'Even as the supporting actor, he would steal the whole show,' offered the Oscar-winning director

'Even as the supporting actor, he would steal the whole show,' offered the Oscar-winning director

'Even as the supporting actor, he would steal the whole show,' explains the Oscar-winning director.

'That was the power of Heath Ledger.'

Meanwhile, Heath's sister Kate reveals the conversation she had with him regarding the power of his role in the groundbreaking 2005 movie.

'This is like taking it to the next level, you're going to be [Oscar] nominated for this, I'm telling you right now,' she recalled saying to him

'This is like taking it to the next level, you're going to be [Oscar] nominated for this, I'm telling you right now,' she recalled saying to him

'This is like taking it to the next level, you're going to be [Oscar] nominated for this, I'm telling you right now,' she recalls.

'He just smiled.'

The Perth-born actor died in January 2008 in New York City, with a toxicology report revealing a fatal mix of prescription drugs in his system.

Limited: The teaser features snippets of interviews from the film, which started a one week-only run in Australian cinemas on Thursday 

Limited: The teaser features snippets of interviews from the film, which started a one week-only run in Australian cinemas on Thursday 

 

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