Mount Mel erupts again
Outburst follows filibuster at CSUN film discussion

BY RACHEL URANGA and DANA BARTHOLOMEW, Staff Writers

Article Last Updated: 03/24/2007 12:53:13 AM PDT

Mel Gibson speaks at CSUN on Thursday, March 22, 2007, in... (Khristian
Garay/Daily Sundial)
NORTHRIDGE - Actor-director Mel Gibson found himself at the center of
controversy again Friday, the day after he cursed a Cal State
Northridge professor who accused him of racially stereotyping Mayans in
his latest film, "Apocalypto."
The expletive came after a late-night CSUN screening of the movie when
assistant professor Alicia Estrada questioned Gibson's sources for the
graphically violent film and translated a lengthy declaration
denouncing it.
Several of those in attendance said Gibson's outburst came as Estrada
was being escorted from the room after a five-minute exchange in front
of the audience of 130 mostly film students.
"He told her to `F--- off, lady,"' said CSUN student Josue Guajan, 22,
of Van Nuys, a native Guatamalan who is half Mayan.
"I was shocked about his response. I thought he would be more civilized
and it would be educational."
Estrada, a scholar of Mayan literature, said Friday that she will seek
an apology.
"I am demanding an apology not just for myself but also the Central
American Studies Program, to the university, and to, most importantly,
the Mayan community and members of the Mayan community," Estrada said.
Gibson's publicist, however, said the actor doesn't need to apologize
because he was more than gracious in answering Estrada's questions
before finally becoming frustrated.
"This was just a reaction to someone being disruptive and rude," said
Alan Nierob, Gibson's publicist. "He went on and completed the session
and said it was successful. It's unfortunate it was tarnished with a
momentary confrontation."
The incident is not the first time Gibson's temper has landed him in
hot water. Last summer, Gibson screamed sexist and anti-Semitic insults
at police after he was arrested for drunk driving in Malibu.
That confrontation came after the blockbuster success of Gibson's
controversial film "The Passion of the Christ."
Last year, when Walt Disney distributed "Apocalypto," handlers were
careful to craft a Gibson image of tolerance. ABC's "Prime Time"
broadcast an hourlong special detailing Gibson's new-found sobriety as
well as his use of Mayan actors and extensive research for the film.
But Thursday's incident again put Gibson on the defensive. Officials
from California State University, Northridge, say it came about 20
minutes into a question-and-answer session designed to focus on
moviemaking.
Gibson had calmly answered several students' questions about the film
when Estrada, an assistant professor of Central American Studies, took
the microphone.
Estrada said she challenged Gibson's depictions of bloodthirsty Mayans
engaging in sacrificial ceremonies.
"I stated a very valid academic question," Estrada said. "He argues he
studies Mayan culture and the representations he provides are
authentic. I asked him who his sources were."
Estrada said Gibson used profanity in his response, although CSUN
spokesman John Chandler disagreed.
"He didn't respond with a profanity," Chandler said. "He responded by
answering the question."
Estrada said she then handed the microphone to a man described by
Guajan as a Mayan community leader, who began reading a lengthy
statement in Spanish.
After grousing from some in the audience, officials cut off the
microphone.
"People in the audience began to get restless," Chandler said. "At one
point, a member of the staff said ... `Ask a question, or leave."'
But Gibson told university officials to turn the microphone back on and
Estrada then began to translate.
The statement denounced the film as a distortion of Mayan history.
Officials said that when it became clear Estrada would not be asking
questions related to filmmaking or the film, they called security to
escort her out.
Guajan said about half the audience applauded when the pair was
escorted out by an armed security guard.
It was then that Gibson, his face red, uttered the expletive. And then
he fired a parting shot: "Make your own movie!"
"He was feeling frustrated; there was no other intellectual
discussion," said John Schultheiss, chairman of the department of
Cinema and Television Art, which organized the session.
"That was his way of summing up: `Gosh, if you aren't happy with the
way an idea is presented to you, then you should present it yourself."'