Posted on 09/24/2006 8:40:30 PM PDT by paltz
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Mel Gibson has returned to the spotlight to promote his upcoming movie "Apocalypto," and to criticize the war in Iraq, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Almost two months after he railed against Jews when he was arrested for driving drunk in Malibu, the actor made a surprise appearance Friday at Fantastic Fest, an event in Austin, Texas, devoted to new science fiction, horror and fantasy films, the trade paper said in its Monday edition.
He presented a work-in-progress screening of his Mayan adventure tale, and then took questions. About one-third of the full house gathered for the film gave him a standing ovation. The film is scheduled for a December 8 release via Disney.
In describing its portrait of a civilization in decline, Gibson said, "The precursors to a civilization that's going under are the same, time and time again," drawing parallels between the Mayan civilization on the brink of collapse and America's present situation. "What's human sacrifice," he asked, "if not sending guys off to Iraq for no reason?"
Appearing alongside Rudy Youngblood, one of the film's actors who hails from the Austin area, Gibson said he plans to make further trims in the film, which ran more than two hours. The print shown did not include sound effects and score, and some visual effects have not yet been added.
Gibson's appearance at the festival, co-founded by Harry Knowles, was reminiscent of a similar appearance he made at Knowles' Butt-Numb-a-Thon, which offered one of the first public previews of "The Passion of the Christ."
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Mel: "What's human sacrifice," he asked, "if not sending guys off to Iraq for no reason?"
So, Mel, trying to stop the wholesale slaughter of innocent men, women, children by a brutal dictator is not "reason" to send troops to Iraq? Preventing a dictatorial regime from giving to terrorists weapons to be used against their common enemy (the U.S.) is not "reason" to send troops to Iraq? Preventing the use of Iraq as a terrorist training base is not "reason" to send troops to Iraq? Failure to adhere to 17 U.N. resolutions and constant harrassing of coalition jets in the no-fly-zone are not "reason" to send in troops to Iraq? What would you say, then Mel, would be sufficient reason to send troops into such a country? Or, is no reason sufficient in your "humble" estimation?
"During the Q&A, Gibson shared "I just wanna draw the parallels. I just looked at it, and thought, we display that stuff here. I don't wanna be a doomsayer, but the Mayan calendar ends in 2012," he said, musing with a grin, "So have fun!" It's quite clear that certain characters in the film could be compared to various world leaders, as the Mayan city is run by self-righteous men convinced they are doing the will of the gods. There's even a parallel to the grizzly sacrifice scene, Gibson shared Saturday night, "What's human sacrifice if not sending a bunch of kids off to Iraq for no reason?" "
Uh oh, I'm in trouble then.
Okay. I'll bite. What is a paleocon? Any relationship to peacock or pale ocean?
Ugh! The Mayan calendar is also a circle. Not to mention I doubt the Mayans could even think of the year 2012 ever coming around.
I'm sick of creeps like this. It's one thing to say that you don't agree with the reason we went to war, but to claim that we're there for no reason, like we're having our soldiers and Iraqis die because we got up out of bed one day and said, "How about a war, eh?" is beyond sick.
Clearly Mel is a very sick man. I'm not kidding. hink the screw has officially fallen out.
"The native Americans gathered at this screening seemed to love it. Asking questions about the accuracy and reality of what they were seeing. One member of the audience asked Mel if he was saying that the decay of the Mayan empire was solely from within, as he feels the influence of European invaders had a lot to do with it. Mel responded that he has always felt that the seeds for different civilizations demise always start from within, as a healthy society can repel any foreign invader – especially one like this with a warrior caste and a vast civilization He does see the film as a metaphor for where we are today, but moreso he sees the film as a work of entertainment. Something to transport the audience.
Is this the great film of the Maya Civilization? It is the most audacious and successful attempt at that period. Mainly due to the fact that the story is such an intimate experience. The whole film rests upon the shoulders of actor Rudy Youngblood and his Jaguar Paw character. To think that this cast is nearly all first time actors. People that Mel found on Docks and wandering the streets of Mexico City… is astonishing. The faces and the stories on these faces are great. The make-up, costumes and recreation of a lost culture are exquisite.
What I saw today was a very rough jewel, when I see it again, the day before Butt-Numb-A-Thon – I trust I will see an immaculate jewel. This could very well be the best film Mel has made when he’s done with it. How commercial will it be? I haven’t a clue. The story is incredibly involving and constantly thrilling. However, too often I’ve seen films of this type lost on audiences today. That Mel would even attempt this movie is a triumph, that it is in and of itself a triumph is a blessing.
Can’t wait to see it with the audience tonight. They’re in for a very special treat. Wish you were with us"
hink=I think (I guess that is LA short hand :-)
He has to do something to restore himself with Hollywood.
It's all about money, with him too.
You mean Dude, Where's My Allahu Ackbar?
Got pics?
Mel has 6 sons and even though we no longer have the draft, deep down I think people who went through that era fear it will be brought back, and that their kids might **gasp** die. Even though they could die on the streets of Malibu (in Mel's case) at any time. It's a rather short-sighted view of the world, IMO.
Behold Mel Gibson! Anti-Semitic and now unsupportive of the efforts of his country to make the world safe for democracy. He's a moralizing little creep and I don't want to hear anymore about him or from him. As far as I'm concerned the book is closed on Gibson.
prisoner6
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