{"id":1769,"date":"2007-01-16T00:20:00","date_gmt":"2007-01-16T00:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/filmchat\/2007\/01\/apocalypto-controversy-in-central-america\/"},"modified":"2007-01-16T00:20:00","modified_gmt":"2007-01-16T00:20:00","slug":"apocalypto-controversy-in-central-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/filmchat\/2007\/01\/apocalypto-controversy-in-central-america.html","title":{"rendered":"Apocalypto — controversy in Central America"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Apocalypto<\/a><\/i> continues to make waves and make news, now that it is moving into theatres in the region where it was set and shot. Variety<\/a><\/i> reports that the locals aren\u2019t too happy with it:<\/span><\/p>\n

Mel Gibson might be undergoing a rapid transformation from saint to sinner in the eyes of the Guatemalan people.<\/p>\n

Guatemala is an intensely religious country, and \u201cThe Passion of the Christ<\/a>\u201d was one of the most popular films in its history. The release was a phenomenon in a nation where Semana Santa \u2014 Easter week \u2014 is by far the year\u2019s major holiday. . . .<\/p>\n

But the reaction to Gibson\u2019s Mayan-language \u201cApocalypto,\u201d which is scheduled to open March 9 in Guatemala, is stirring up passions of a different sort in a country that is 43% pure Mayan.<\/p>\n

According to Guatemala\u2019s Prensa Libre newspaper, a member of the Presidential Commission Against Racism & Discrimination called the film \u201cracist and without a connection to reality.\u201d (He hadn\u2019t seen it yet.)<\/p>\n

And the head of the National Council of Mayan Education said the film \u201cleaves a message of discrimination and racism that should be rejected by Guatemalans.\u201d (It\u2019s unclear whether he\u2019d seen the film.)<\/p>\n

A slightly more upbeat take came from a Guatemalan who had actually seen the picture. \u201cCinefilo\u201d Leon Aguilera said although \u201cApocalypto\u201d was \u201cplagued with anachronisms,\u201d it was also \u201crich in production, wardrobe and makeup,\u201d and he reminded viewers, \u201cIt\u2019s only a movie.\u201d . . .<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And now, Reuters<\/a> says Gibson is responding to the charges:<\/p>\n

Actor and producer Mel Gibson hit back on Monday at accusations his \u201cApocalypto\u201d movie misrepresents Mayan Indians as savages, accusing opponents of not doing their research.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose who criticize the movie should do their homework. I did,\u201d Gibson told reporters at a screening of the film in Mexico City.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There has got<\/i> to be more to the quote than that, and I would love to know what it is \u2014 especially because I just went through all the bonus features on the upcoming \u201cdefinitive edition<\/a>\u201d of The Passion of the Christ<\/i> (2004) this past weekend, and if there is one thing they prove, it is that Mel Gibson ain\u2019t no scholar. I do<\/i> find his artistic<\/i> instincts intriguing, though \u2014 on that film and this \u2014 and I do<\/i> think Mel\u2019s critics should \u201cdo their homework\u201d in the sense that they should watch the damn film<\/i> before mouthing off about it.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Apocalypto continues to make waves and make news, now that it is moving into theatres in the region where it was set and shot. Variety reports that the locals aren\u2019t too happy with it: Mel Gibson might be undergoing a rapid transformation from saint to sinner in the eyes of the Guatemalan people. Guatemala is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1116,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nApocalypto -- controversy in Central America<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Apocalypto continues to make waves and make news, now that it is moving into theatres in the region where it was set and shot. 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