Mel Gibson lashes out during 'Apocalypto' screening

Mel Gibson was at the center of an uproar Thursday night at the Armer Theater in Manzanita Hall at CSUN when a Central American Studies professor spoke out against the way Mayans are depicted in Gibson's film "Apocalypto." Central American Studies Professor Dr. Alicia Estrada asked Gibson if he understood the negative portrayal of Mayans in the film. Estrada went on to say that Mayans have suffered from death and poverty but were depicted as ignorant and bloodthirsty in the film. Members of the Mayan community were present and Estrada passed the microphone to Mayan community leader Felipe Perez who read in Spanish, the Mayan community's response to the film. Estrada translated, but because of the audience uproar, she could not be heard. While Estrada and Perez spoke, CTVA students and others in the audience booed, yelled, "This is America, speak English!" and shouted for them to sit down and shut up.

Due to the yelling, Gibson said, "I can't understand what you're saying."
Security personnel began pushing the speaker and turned off Perez's microphone. Gibson said to let them talk, and the microphone was turned back on. "I'm not offending you. I'm treating you with respect," Estrada said. Gibson responded with liberal use of the f-word. Audience members clapped and cheered, one even turning to Estrada and clapping in her face. President of the Central American United Students Association Josue Guajan came to the event because he is a CTVA student. "I thought there would be conflict but I did not expect this disrespect to Professor Estrada," Guajan said.

Estrada said the film is blatantly racist, but Gibson responded by saying, "I don't think it's racist at all, and I resent you saying that it is."

Gibson also talked about his experience directing both "Apocalypto" and other films.

"You have to start at basics (when you have an unexperienced cast), and give them something (that's) not too complex," he said. "The main thing is to breathe and relax. ... Every emotion has a breath pattern. It's really about emulating a breath pattern. But relax and then emulate it."

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