In the final analysis, the only person who can accurately represent Mel's artistic goals for this movie is Mel himself - and I think Mel knows that a large part of his last movie's success was from the church community.
That is why he shows Jaguar Paw near the end, on his knees in the sand, facing the Spanish with their cross. Mel has put other religious symbols and sounds from the Passion, as other posters have noted, in this movie such as the withered baby from the temple sacrifice scene - the symbol of Satan being present in the crowd. Ironically, to gain acceptance for the movie from the Hollywood crowd, I believe Mel may be touting the movie as being about the environment instead of the depraved (sin) nature of man.
Again, you may be right in your interpretation - perhaps Mel will have an interview where he discusses these issues about the movie.
The film was shot mostly in the Vera Cruz area of Mexico--here is an interview with Gibson and his co writer.
http://www.movieweb.com/news/23/15923.php
I prefer to think of art as in eye of the beholder...
- and I think Mel knows that a large part of his last movie's success was from the church community.
I'm not sure that would necessarily induce Gibson or anyone else in his position to pander to any one segment of a population. That would seem boring, especially if the person has reached a level of success that money might no longer be the primary motivator. In any case, Gibson is trending unmistakably more away from mass entertainment of any type. (Personally, I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing at all. Who wants to go see something that that does not expand one's sensibilities or knowledge?)
That is why he shows Jaguar Paw near the end, on his knees in the sand, facing the Spanish with their cross. Mel has put other religious symbols and sounds from the Passion, as other posters have noted, in this movie such as the withered baby from the temple sacrifice scene - the symbol of Satan being present in the crowd. Ironically, to gain acceptance for the movie from the Hollywood crowd, I believe Mel may be touting the movie as being about the environment instead of the depraved (sin) nature of man.
Or maybe Gibson is just having a chuckle. In any case I think some of this approaches playing a Beatles record backwards and hearing a message that Paul is dead. Symbolism is OK up to a point, but I think it is safer to stick with primary themes rather than allusions which may or may not be intended.
Again, you may be right in your interpretation - perhaps Mel will have an interview where he discusses these issues about the movie.
Yeah, well, if it is unclear, perhaps he should be. Perhaps he thinks it is clear, and one of us is wrong (or both).
Mel's Latest: Brilliant Film, Inane Interpretation
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1752125/posts