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Mel Gibson was one of my favorite actors. He seemed like a good person who loved to joke a lot. But lately, his behavior has turned me away from him. I just heard from my friend at Cal State Northridge that when he had a conference there, a professor told him he did not depict Mayans very well in "Apocolypto". She asked him where he got his research from. His response to her was "F*** you" several times, and she was escorted out of the room. Professionally, I think he was out of line. What do you think?
Yeah, it seems Mel has gotten angrier and arrogant. I can't believe this is the same man who made a movie about Jesus Christ. And don't get me started on Tom Cruise. That poor man is completely brainwashed. Scientology has turned him into a talking robot with way too much nervous energy.
I'm not crazy about Mel or Tom Cruise lately .........
I was also turned off by both but at least Tom Cruise adopted two kids instead of popping out several. Also, he jumps on couches and is ignorant to how women feel but at least he's not always in the news drunk and making antisemtic remarks.
For the comment about hte movie about Jesus Christ, he didnt make that to spread Christian word, he made it to make millions. If that movie couldnt make a profit he wouldnt make it, otherwise he wouldve produced and and given it away and just charged shipping. He exploited peoples believes in knowing that Christians would flock in their millions to see it.
I heard about the incident at Cal State. It happened around one month ago and apparently a number of Mayan activists, including the assistant professor of Central American Studies who was told to **** off, attended his lecture and protested their violent portrayal in the film before being forcibly removed from the event. Gibson's camp claimed the students and protesters stepped overbound in their protesting and were creating a disturbance, but regardless, from what I've read out of eyewitness accounts, Mel Gibson was out of line.
I've never really been a fan of his. I've always found him overrated both as an actor and a director, and I found some of his beliefs a little out there. In recent years however, he's just completely lost it and I have no respect for him as either an artist or as a person. I'm not a fan of bigots.
Not sure I agree with all of that....From what I've read the students were trying to get the Asst.Prof and the protesters to shut up so there could be an honest exchange instead of a shouting match. As a matter of fact it was Mel who stopped security from throwing them out and insisted they be give a chance to speak.
Here's a report from someone that was there in person,first hand, with a photographer and clearly taking notes.
Having said all that I agree he may have over reacted but I can understand that people are getting fed up with this PC nonsense. ie ..everything is to be challenged because somewhere there is someone being offended.
BTW...anyone who has been to any of the ruins can see for themselves. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to recognize the intended use of the numerous altars etc.
For the lazy here's a comment from a student that attended the showing.
" Originally posted by
Matthew Waltz
I was at the showing and I do have to say that Estrada's methods were very rude and no matter how she tries to play the victim Mr. Gibson had every right to be pissed. I am sure I would have reacted the same way! Gibson answered her question about the sources and she just kept pushing. Then she accused him of portraying the Mayan's incorrectly (which is funny seeing as how even the History channel and the paintings on their own walls back Gibson up)
Not only that, but this was supposed to be an educational experience for the CTVA students and instead it turned into Estrada's own crusade! As a teacher she should have known that this was not the time or the place for protest! She waisted valuable question time even after Prof. Shultise said to keep the questions directed towards the movie and the production of the movie.
I thought she was very rude to those who came to learn as well. She also apparently cut in line in front of some students who were pretty ticked about it. Her response was that she was a teacher and got priority.
I am very embarrassed about this and would not be surprised if it took a few years before Mr. Gibson ever came back to this school, or any other star for that matter!! "
Thank you for the article, JRBrown. It gave me a better perspective on what happened at CSUN. Perhaps both Mel and the teacher were wrong. But it seems the professor was trying to represent the Mayan community by translating what the Mayan leader was saying, and they didn't get a chance. Just from reading the article, it seems their right to freedom of speech was violated. But I wasn't there so I can only speculate. Still, Mel could have handled the situation better.
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