Artistic Freedom?: Threats to blacklist Gibson ring hollow

Dallas News ^ | March 3, 2004 | N/A

[swilhelm73]

The dirtiest word in Hollywood is "blacklist," which comes from the ban that McCarthy-era studio chiefs enforced on actors and others thought to be communists. To blacklist someone is to refuse him work because of his beliefs. Someone like Mel Gibson.

Last week, The New York Times reported that a number of film industry figures have decided to shun Mr. Gibson over The Passion of the Christ, which some see as anti-Semitic. One studio chairman, speaking anonymously, told the newspaper, "I won't hire him. I won't support anything he's part of."

Ah. It's interesting to see what a filmmaker has to do to make Hollywood's new blacklist. Get indicted for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl and flee the country to avoid trial? Nope: Roman Polanski earned an Oscar last year. Serve a prison stint for molesting a 12-year-old boy? Nope: Disney hired ex-con Victor Salva to make Powder in 1995. Consort with a dictator? Nope: Steven Spielberg rhapsodized that dinner with Fidel Castro was "the eight most important hours of my life."

Be a pious Catholic who makes a film about the death of Jesus Christ faithful to the Gospels? Guards, take him away!

Still, some insiders think Mr. Gibson will be safe, thanks to the nearly $150 million his blockbuster movie has grossed after only one week. "People here will work with the Antichrist if it puts butts in seats," a talent agent told The Times. In amoral Hollywood, a bad box office is the only unforgivable sin.

[KarlInOhio]

I think Hollywood has much more to worry about Mel blacklisting them. He made the movie without their support and he distributed it without their support. What do the studios actually provide other than large buildings with good lighting?

[Argus]

People in Hollywood have always been happy to work with the Antichrist.

It's the Pro-Christ ones who have the problem.

[caisson71]

There has always been a trump card for Follywood's blacklist and that is MONEY. He who makes the money has the card. In this case, Follywood heads are rolling out the carpet in order to catch any financial fallout from Gibson's success.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

When they see the final take in profits from his film they will fall at Mel's feet and beg to be a part of his next project. Money talks in Hollywood.
Just look at the Blair Witch Project, a cheap film that made a huge profit. Everyone wanted to be a part of Blair Witch II which bombed!

[dts32041]

Sweetest sound on earth: the clink of a dental hygienist finally putting down the scraping tools

I will be hearing that sound tomorrow, you had to remind me.

[InsensitiveConservative]

Agreed. They are likely after him now, as we type, to create the sequel... 'Resurrection Reloaded'.

[mrs. a]

At this point, does Mel Gibson NEED them?

The "arbiters of taste" in Hollywood got spanked and they know it.

The people have spoken. They prefer The Passion to American Pie XXIII.

I find it heartening.

[boomop1]

F them I don't watch their garbage. Mel can easily do with his money anything he wants and make another 200 million.

[Stellar Dendrite]

bump

[Rytwyng]

They are likely after him now, as we type, to create the sequel... 'Resurrection Reloaded'.

It's called the Book of Revelation.

[RightWhale]

According to Savage it is redlist not blacklist.