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Mel Gibson discusses new movie “Apocalypto” on ABC’s PrimeTime
Mel Gibson appeared on ABC’s PrimeTime to discuss his new movie “Apocalypto” as well as revisit the events that surrounded his July arrest for drunk driving.
Gibson spent seven months in the jungles of Mexico directing his latest film based on the decline of the Mayan kingdom. For Gibson it was a time of self discovery and, like the movie title suggests, a new beginning.
While the Oscar Award winning director focused on the themes that built the movie, he openly discussed the parallels he saw between the decline of the Mayan empire and the events unfolding in the U.S. involvement in Iraq.
Repeating several times during the interview that he believed conspicuous consumption to be a defining factor in the demise of Mayan empire, Gibson believed the same to be true today. He was alluding to the Bush administration’s willingness to continue sending American troops to the Middle East.
Gibson said there was a lesson to be learned from the fall of the Mayan civilization, and that incessant greed will always lead to an inevitable collapse. For Gibson it was that same greed that brought him to his knees four months ago.
Describing addiction as a daily struggle with what he called demons, Gibson had succumbed to satisfying the darker side of his personality. On that July night Gibson verbally assaulted a Los Angeles police officer with a string of anti-Semitic slurs.
Since the night of his arrest Gibson has met privately with Jewish leaders. Seeking atonement, Gibson found a community willing to offer a second chance. In many ways it was a rebirth for the man labeled a bigot and anti-Semite.
That rebirth has been a byproduct of finding God according to Gibson. He was adamant in his belief that he would never be able to overcome the fears that fed his addiction without something greater in his life.
At the close of the interview Gibson was asked about his involvement in helping Courtney Love seek treatment for her addictions. While Gibson downplayed his role, Love has openly credited him for saving her life.
“Apocalypto” is due to hit theaters in early December
