October 14, 2006
Mel Gibson talks to ABC's Diane Sawyer 'Good Morning America' About His Fight With Alcoholism And His Anti-Semitic Tirade
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August 27, 2006
Reiner: Gibson must do some major soul-searching
Mel Gibson's apology for making drunken anti-Semitic remarks isn't enough to redeem him, actor-producer Rob Reiner said.
The actor also must acknowledge that "his work reflects anti-Semitism," particularly the 2004 hit movie "The Passion of the Christ," Reiner told Associated Press Radio.
"When he comes to the understanding that he has done that, and can come out and say, you know, 'My views have been reflected in my work and I feel bad that I've done that,' then that will be the beginning of some reconciliation for him."
"It's not a matter of just apologizing for some words you've said, it's to really understand why it is you're anti-Semitic and where those feelings came from."
"I believe that people can be redeemed and people can change, but that's going to be a very long process," he added.
Some critics attacked Gibson's movie as portraying Jews as evil. Supporters said the movie was merely being faithful to Gospel accounts of Jesus' arrest and crucifixion.
A call to Gibson's publicist seeking comment was not immediately returned Friday.
Gibson publicly apologized for an anti-Semitic tirade he unleashed when he was arrested for drunken driving in Malibu on July 28. He has called the remarks "despicable."
Earlier this month, Gibson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge in a deal that calls for alcohol rehabilitation, fines and probation.
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August 3, 2006
Mel Gibson is homophobic too
After spending the week trying to convince the public that he’s not an anti-Semite, Mel Gibson is now being accused of homophobia. MSNBC reports that The Passion of the Christ director made anti-gay comments during an interview that took place 14 years ago.
When Spanish newspaper El Pais asked Gibson about homosexuals in 1992, he shot back: “They take it up the a—.” Then pointing at his behind, he said, “This is only for taking a s—t.” He told the reporter that he was once worried that if he became an actor, people would think he was gay.
“But with this look, who’s going to think I’m gay?” he asked. “It would be hard to take me for someone like that. Do I sound like a homosexual? Do I talk like them? Do I move like them?”
After some people were offended by his comments, Playboy magazine asked the actor if he would apologize. “I’ll apologize when hell freezes over,” he told the mag.
Later, when the Washington Post asked Gibson if he was “tolerant,” he replied: “Ahhh, I like to think I am. Perhaps I’m not.”
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August 2, 2006
Mel Gibson's statement in full
Actor and director Mel Gibson has apologised for the anti-Semitic words he used during his arrest for drink-driving. Here is his full statement:
There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark.
I want to apologise specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested on a DUI (driving under the influence) charge.
I am a public person, and when I say something, either articulated and thought out, or blurted out in a moment of insanity, my words carry weight in the public arena.
As a result, I must assume personal responsibility for my words and apologise directly to those who have been hurt and offended by those words.
I know there will be many in that community who will want nothing to do with me, and that would be understandable
The tenets of what I profess to believe necessitate that I exercise charity and tolerance as a way of life.
Every human being is God's child, and if I wish to honour my God I have to honour his children. But please know from my heart that I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith.
I'm not just asking for forgiveness.
I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one-on-one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing.
I have begun an ongoing programme of recovery and what I am now realising is that I cannot do it alone.
I am in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from during that drunken display, and I am asking the Jewish community, whom I have personally offended, to help me on my journey through recovery.
Again, I am reaching out to the Jewish community for its help. I know there will be many in that community who will want nothing to do with me, and that would be understandable.
But I pray that that door is not forever closed.
This is not about a film. Nor is it about artistic licence. This is about real life and recognising the consequences hurtful words can have.
It's about existing in harmony in a world that seems to have gone mad.
More photos taken just 1 hour before his arrest after the jump.
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