Hailed as one of the most compelling actors of his generation, Ledger was renowned for disappearing into his characters — including a tortured gay cowboy in 2005’sBrokeback Mountain, which earned him his first Oscar nomination, and his terrifying Joker in 2009’s The Dark Knight, which won him a posthumous Academy Award.
But off-screen, he was known for his rugged good looks and low-key demeanor — often seen skateboarding down the streets of his Brooklyn neighborhood and strolling with Matilda, the 11-year-old daughter he had with actress Michelle Williams.
The documentary, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, explores Ledger’s personal side — as seen through his own eyes, with extraordinary home video the actor filmed of himself. It also recounts Ledger’s most memorable moments onscreen, from his beginnings in Australia to the height of his Hollywood celebrity.
Heath’s family gave I Am Heath Ledger filmmakers Adrian Buitenhuis and Derik Murray their blessing — and appeared in interviews for the documentary alongside those who knew Ledger best, like his ex Naomi Watts, Emile Hirsch, Ben Mendelssohn, Djimon Hounsou, Ang Lee, and other close friends and industry peers.
“We’re very happy with the way it turned out,” Kate told The Project.
One of the sweetest scenes in the film features a young Heath — and future Joker — dressed in a Batman T-shirt.
“That was on a cruise ship we went on as a family,” Kate recalled to The Project. “Mom knew there was going to be a dress-up night so she had organized costumes ahead of time. But yeah it was kind of a surreal experience, I suppose, for him to go on and be in a Batman movie.”
Since Heath’s death, Kate said she’s found it “hard” to revisit his films — like The Patriot and 10 Things I Hate About You. But she’s been able to recently watch them again through her children.
“I now have 13-year-old girls who want to see the films. So through them, it’s become a little easier for me to see the joy that it gives them,” Kate said.
And though Williams didn’t appear in I Am Heath Ledger, Kate said “she certainly gave it her blessing.”
“She’s an artist and I think she’s beautifully represented in the film,” Kate explained. “And that was her prerogative. I don’t think she needs to be in it — she’s represented. That was just a personal, private decision which we all 100 percent respect.”
I Am Heath Ledger is set to premiere on Spike TV on May 17.
This article originally appeared on PEOPLE.COM.