random 24 Mar 2007 11:45 am
Mel Gibson Lashes Out At ‘Apocalypto’ Critics
Mel Gibson Lashes Out At ‘Apocalypto’ Critics - Movie News - Playfuls.com - Fun & Entertainment
Maybe some anger management classes might come in handy for actor/director Mel Gibson who exchanged angry words with a college professor after she accused him of racially stereotyping the Mayans in the movie “Apocalypto.”
Following a screening of his controversial movie, “Apocalypto,” Gibson, who was taking questions at a Los Angeles University, became the center of uproar when he swore twice a female professor who challenged him.
Alicia Estrada, an assistant professor of Central American studies at the university, questioned Gibson’s research for the film, a blood-soaked historical epic of the final days of the Mexican Mayan Empire.
She asked him after his presentation if he read anything about the Mayan culture before shooting the film. According to Estrada, Gibson replied, “I spent two years reading a f—ing (lot) of books”.
Gibson, who made last-minute appearance for the meeting at Cal State University at Northridge in the San Fernando Valley, was taken by surprise and lost his temper, reportedly telling Estrada to “f—k off.”
“In no way was my question aggressive,” Estrada said.
“I stated a very valid academic question. He argues he studies Mayan culture and the representations he provides are authentic. I asked him who his sources were.”
“He told her to `F— off, lady,’” said CSUN student Josue Guajan, 22, of Van Nuys, a native Guatamalan who is half Mayan.
“I was shocked about his response. I thought he would be more civilized and it would be educational.”
Then, two people, one of whom may have been Estrada, were booted from the room.