Posted on 05/12/2006 8:55:00 AM PDT by doesnt suffer fools gladly
Film star and director Mel Gibson has launched a scathing attack on US President George W Bush, comparing his leadership to the barbaric rulers of the Mayan civilisation in his new film Apocalypto.
The epic, due for release later this year, captures the decline of the Maya kingdom and the slaughter of thousands of inhabitants as human sacrifices in a bid to save the nation from collapsing.
Gibson reveals he used present day American politics as an inspiration, claiming the government callously plays on the nation's insecurities to maintain power.
He tells British film magazine Hotdog, "The fear-mongering we depict in the film reminds me of President Bush and his guys".
Sure. And we are much more likely to die of old age. I am not being rhetorical here...but...do you see a difference between being killed in an automobile accident and being killed by someone with a car bomb?
But they say that about everyone.
Still ... he struck me as being a tad rational and conservative ... geesh!
I think Braveheart and Passion are both brilliant movies. As a film director myself, I know how difficult it is to make a good movie. Gibson is incredibly talented. That doesn't mean I share his politics - whatever they may be. Although he is very passionately pro-life, and I agree with him 100% on that.
He's an excellent actor, but I think even a better director. Both Braveheart and Passion I think are very great movies.
I liked Gibson in his early Australian films. After he went "mainstream", it did seem that he only played nutty characters. It got to a point where I could barely stand to watch him. Besides the Lethal Weapon films, he was nutty as Fletcher Christian in The Bounty. He was a nuttier than usual Hamlet as well.
I think it was Braveheart that brought back some respect for him, though he was a tad nutty in that. Whether his nuttiness on film is a reflection of his own personality, or merely the result of his not having a very large bag of actor tricks from which to draw, I do not know.
His original idea to film The Passion in dead languages WITHOUT subtitles was nutty, too, IMO.
I think his remarks are more "Gibson-weirdness" than Hollyweirdness.
Doesn't take long for the flock to turn and start pecking someone's eyes out, does it? I plan to hold on to all my Mel movies--which is quite a collection--go see "Apocalypto" and ignore the fumings by the press and FReepers as well. Besides, how does anyone know what Gibson actually said? Were they in the room?
I see your point.
He strikes me as being very confused. Against abortion is thumbs UP with me too however his politics leans VERY LEFT with this announcement.
Don't worry, it'll be a huge hit with the Aztlan crowd........
One less movie to go watch.
Ho hum.
More and more I see Gibson as a heterosexual Tom Cruise.
I'm guilty of the blaspheme of not seeing "The Passion" but I read the book and know how it ends.
Perhaps, but it was probably the closest thing to what actually occurred during the last day of Jesus' earthly life than any movie before it. Scourging and crucifiction are bloody and brutal.
Why does every day feel like we are only two weeks before a Presidential election. Bush won... get the #$%^ over it already. Everyone complains about Bush yet ignores the "real" threats that exists in this world.
I agree. If it's a good movie I'll see it no matter what his politics are. If it's a bad movie I won't see it. Sean Penn makes some very good movies. According to some I shouldn't see them because he's liberal. So what? I watch movies for entertainment - not to make a statement.
I call BS. Where's the rest of the interview, it's not at the link?
I'll buy that. I have to kick myself for reading these articles on movie stars. I would so much prefer not to know their personal views.
Hey, the loon who brought y'all the "Passion" movie. Mel has run off the rails here but it sounds like a movie worth going to the theater for (haven't been to one for months)
This is nothing. There is some truth in the idea that all politicians use fear-mongering -- or bribery.
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