International star Mel Gibson tells Al-Mawed: I present my films to influence the audience
My last film was a message to the world about the horrors and evils of war.
I grew my beard for my latest role and I can't wait to shave it off.
Love What is love?
The most important thing in my life is my children and my family.
My recent meeting with the international star "Mel Gibson" was unusual. I have met him several times over the years, but I did not recognize him completely when I first saw him until he approached me. After several glances at his face, I realized that he was Mel Gibson. His moustache was thick and his beard was huge, which completely changed his appearance. I asked him why he had changed, and he said that he was acting in a film that required it. I commented on that by saying to him: “According to the traditions of the countries of the Far East, a white beard is a relationship of intelligence and cleverness.” He replied: “No, I did not acquire intelligence or anything like that. It is only because I am acting in a film in Ireland with Sean Pen, and this role required me to grow my beard and moustache, which are signs of aging and old age. In fact, I hate them and they bother me a lot, and I can’t wait to shave my beard because they bother me when I eat and spoil my mood. But on the other hand, I am happy to work with a very talented actor in the film, Sean Pen, and it will be another great film.”
I asked him about a movie I knew he would like to make about Vikings. He said he was still preparing to act in it, but now he was busy with the movie he was shooting in Ireland, set in the 19th century, around 1800 AD.
I told him that the last film he directed was showing in Los Angeles and he didn't act in it, so would he specialize in directing instead of acting? He said, "No, I will direct, produce and act in many upcoming films, but depending on the film and the story, I might just produce the film, or I might produce and direct the film and also act in it, depending on my idea for the film and what the story requires."
I told him that many of his films are about wars. He said that was true, but his biggest concern was to portray the film and not tell the story of the greatness of wars, but rather the ugliness of wars, the destruction they cause, the horrors they inflict on warriors, and the chivalry and courage of warriors. His last film showed that, and it also showed the courage of the man who sacrificed his life to save members of his military unit, and also the wounded enemy soldiers who had been fighting him just moments before and wanted to kill him.
In his latest film, Hacksaw Ridge, he showed a large battlefield, saying: “In reality, the battlefield looked huge on the screen, but it was only about 100 meters by 75 meters. However, we used two huge machines to create smoke and fog to cover distant parts, and the smoke also adds a complementary image to the events of the battle that takes place during World War II. All that the story requires are large explosions, artillery throwing incendiary bombs, etc. This is, of course, completely different from a war that takes place in the nineteenth century, like the film I am acting in now, where the fighting is with swords and daggers. Every film has its own requirements and preparations, as well as the film’s budget, and what it may require in terms of a few individuals or large groups of soldiers, their clothing, and their equipment. All of that is the basis for the film’s success or failure.”
I told him that he makes most of his films about wars, destruction and international conflicts, but why doesn’t he make films about romance and love? He said: “Love!! What is ‘love?’ Ask me about it in two weeks. Maybe then I will find the answer to this question.”
I asked him what was most important to him when he looked at his life and artistic achievements. He said: “The most important thing to me is my personal life, my children and my family. Anything else is not important to me, such as fame or greatness. All of that is not important, at least to me.” Then he continued, saying that you can influence people and viewers through films and novels. You can make an influential film that makes the audience cry and feel sad, and the film can also make them laugh and be happy. This is possible through films. I choose the story of the film that I present according to what is consistent with my nature and my desires to influence the souls of the viewers. This is my goal in life and in making films. If I succeed in that, then I will have achieved one of my most important goals in life.
I asked him about his historical films and what motivates him to make them. He said: “Historical films are very important and very difficult. You have to research the prevailing mentality at that time, as well as the clothes and the natural and unnatural conditions such as the streets, cars and traffic signs if they existed. All of that requires a lot of time and effort, such as the film Brave Heart, which took place in Scotland, or the film The Passion of the Christ. All of that requires a lot of research to make the film as correctly as possible.”
Finally, I told him that he had gone through difficult days and beautiful days in his life, so what was the effect of that on him, as well as love and marriage. He said that he was happy with his life, especially his artistic life, but his love life and his relationship with women were all just unimportant numbers. What was important was that there was attraction and friendship, and that each person thought for himself and knew what he wanted in life.
Hollywood - George Doss
I grew my beard for my latest role and I can't wait to shave it off.
Love What is love?
The most important thing in my life is my children and my family.
My recent meeting with the international star "Mel Gibson" was unusual. I have met him several times over the years, but I did not recognize him completely when I first saw him until he approached me. After several glances at his face, I realized that he was Mel Gibson. His moustache was thick and his beard was huge, which completely changed his appearance. I asked him why he had changed, and he said that he was acting in a film that required it. I commented on that by saying to him: “According to the traditions of the countries of the Far East, a white beard is a relationship of intelligence and cleverness.” He replied: “No, I did not acquire intelligence or anything like that. It is only because I am acting in a film in Ireland with Sean Pen, and this role required me to grow my beard and moustache, which are signs of aging and old age. In fact, I hate them and they bother me a lot, and I can’t wait to shave my beard because they bother me when I eat and spoil my mood. But on the other hand, I am happy to work with a very talented actor in the film, Sean Pen, and it will be another great film.”
I asked him about a movie I knew he would like to make about Vikings. He said he was still preparing to act in it, but now he was busy with the movie he was shooting in Ireland, set in the 19th century, around 1800 AD.
I told him that the last film he directed was showing in Los Angeles and he didn't act in it, so would he specialize in directing instead of acting? He said, "No, I will direct, produce and act in many upcoming films, but depending on the film and the story, I might just produce the film, or I might produce and direct the film and also act in it, depending on my idea for the film and what the story requires."
I told him that many of his films are about wars. He said that was true, but his biggest concern was to portray the film and not tell the story of the greatness of wars, but rather the ugliness of wars, the destruction they cause, the horrors they inflict on warriors, and the chivalry and courage of warriors. His last film showed that, and it also showed the courage of the man who sacrificed his life to save members of his military unit, and also the wounded enemy soldiers who had been fighting him just moments before and wanted to kill him.
In his latest film, Hacksaw Ridge, he showed a large battlefield, saying: “In reality, the battlefield looked huge on the screen, but it was only about 100 meters by 75 meters. However, we used two huge machines to create smoke and fog to cover distant parts, and the smoke also adds a complementary image to the events of the battle that takes place during World War II. All that the story requires are large explosions, artillery throwing incendiary bombs, etc. This is, of course, completely different from a war that takes place in the nineteenth century, like the film I am acting in now, where the fighting is with swords and daggers. Every film has its own requirements and preparations, as well as the film’s budget, and what it may require in terms of a few individuals or large groups of soldiers, their clothing, and their equipment. All of that is the basis for the film’s success or failure.”
I told him that he makes most of his films about wars, destruction and international conflicts, but why doesn’t he make films about romance and love? He said: “Love!! What is ‘love?’ Ask me about it in two weeks. Maybe then I will find the answer to this question.”
I asked him what was most important to him when he looked at his life and artistic achievements. He said: “The most important thing to me is my personal life, my children and my family. Anything else is not important to me, such as fame or greatness. All of that is not important, at least to me.” Then he continued, saying that you can influence people and viewers through films and novels. You can make an influential film that makes the audience cry and feel sad, and the film can also make them laugh and be happy. This is possible through films. I choose the story of the film that I present according to what is consistent with my nature and my desires to influence the souls of the viewers. This is my goal in life and in making films. If I succeed in that, then I will have achieved one of my most important goals in life.
I asked him about his historical films and what motivates him to make them. He said: “Historical films are very important and very difficult. You have to research the prevailing mentality at that time, as well as the clothes and the natural and unnatural conditions such as the streets, cars and traffic signs if they existed. All of that requires a lot of time and effort, such as the film Brave Heart, which took place in Scotland, or the film The Passion of the Christ. All of that requires a lot of research to make the film as correctly as possible.”
Finally, I told him that he had gone through difficult days and beautiful days in his life, so what was the effect of that on him, as well as love and marriage. He said that he was happy with his life, especially his artistic life, but his love life and his relationship with women were all just unimportant numbers. What was important was that there was attraction and friendship, and that each person thought for himself and knew what he wanted in life.
Hollywood - George Doss