Mel Gibson's movie about Mayan civilization "Apocalypto" has provoked rage from indigenous members of the culture for its stereotyped depiction on the tribe.
- Dec 9, 2006
AceShowbiz - Considered to be unrealistic and presents a stereotyped depiction upon describing Mayan civilization, "Apocalypto" has angered indigenous members of the culture who condemned the movie and director Mel Gibson as being inaccurate and racist.
Guatemalan human rights activist Lucio Yaxon was quoted remarking Gibson of "saying the Mayans are savages" while Ignacio Ochoa, director of the Nahual Foundation that promotes Mayan culture, perceived that the Australian-born actor/filmmaker replays "an offensive and racist notion that Maya people were brutal to one another."
As well as being accused of racism, the "Braveheart" star was also criticized to promote stereotypes of the culture by showing scenes of scary-looking Mayans with bone piercings and scarred faces hurling spears and sacrificing humans, whereas many have claimed that Mayan civilization in fact is not as bloodthirsty as the man that has been depicted in the film.
But apparently archeologist Richard Hansen, whom Gibson consulted with on making the film, has a different view as he attempted to counter the allegations.
"I am a little apprehensive about how the Maya themselves are going to perceive it, but Gibson is trying to make a social statement, " so he said as reported by the Washington Post while adding that Gibson intentionally took pains to ensure that "Apocalypto" was historically accurate and authentic.
