Mel Gibson’s film ‘Apocalypto’ once again has become the subject of controversy.
‘Apocalypto,’ which detailed the collapse of Mayan civilization, was previously marked as a racist film, angering members of the culture it portrays and once again Gibson’s film has become the subject of a film rating legal battle in Italy after the country’s cinema review board ruled the movie could be seen by kids.
Carlo Rienzi, president of the Codacons consumer group, said,
The film is probably very beautiful and well done. However, minors must be protected more than the economic interests of film production companies.
The film is released today in Italian cinemas, after opening in the United States last month with an ‘R’ rating, which allows those younger than 18 to view it only if accompanied by an adult. Apocalypto was praised for ‘blood-and-guts actions’, ‘breathtaking vistas’, and ‘bruising beauty’ and it debuted in the U.S. as the No. 1 weekend movie, and has earned a Golden Globe nomination for best foreign-language film.
Rienzi and his consumer group are seeking a court ruling banning kids younger than 14 from seeing the film. But the Italian review board members did not found any problem in showing the film to minors also.
A spokeswoman or the censors Gian Paolo Cugno said,
We are used to being subjected to images like the hanging of SADDAM HUSSEIN in all the newspapers. I don’t see what the scandal is just because we see a bit of blood.
Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ a portrayal of the last hours of the life of Jesus was also in controversy for scenes of graphic violence.
