elpais.com
Gibson's New Film Downplays Director Amidst Past Controversies
Mel Gibson's new action thriller, "Threat in the Air," starring Mark Wahlberg, opened in Spanish cinemas this week; however, Gibson's role in its marketing is minimized due to past controversies involving antisemitic and misogynistic remarks, despite the film's relatively successful US box office performance of $26 million.
- What is the primary reason for Mel Gibson's downplayed role in the marketing of his new film, "Threat in the Air?
- Mel Gibson, director of "Braveheart" and "Apocalypto," is downplaying his role in the marketing of his new film, "Threat in the Air," likely due to past controversies. The film, a thriller starring Mark Wahlberg, opened in Spain this week and has grossed $26 million in the US, significantly less than his previous works.
- How have Gibson's past controversies affected the box office performance of "Threat in the Air" compared to his previous films?
- Gibson's minimized presence in "Threat in the Air"'s promotional materials reflects his history of public scandals, including past antisemitic and misogynistic remarks. Despite these controversies, his career persists, fueled by continued work in action films and his personal projects.
- What does Gibson's continued success in the film industry despite his past controversies reveal about Hollywood's tolerance for problematic figures?
- Gibson's ongoing film projects, including a planned sequel to "The Passion of the Christ," suggest his controversial statements and past behavior haven't significantly hampered his career. His ability to continue directing and acting highlights Hollywood's complex relationship with problematic figures.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article's framing heavily emphasizes the negative aspects of Mel Gibson's life and career. The headline implicitly highlights the concealment of his name in the film's promotion, framing this as the central issue. The article structure prioritizes detailing controversies and inflammatory statements, shaping the reader's perception before presenting more neutral information about the film itself. The inclusion of details about his views on climate change, evolution, and the papacy might be considered extraneous, distracting from a more balanced portrayal of his contributions to the film 'Amenaza en el aire'.
Language Bias
The article employs strong, emotive language to describe Gibson's actions and statements, often using words like "inflammatory," "controversial," and "scandalous." The article uses direct quotes of Gibson's offensive statements, which inherently carry bias. While it doesn't use overtly biased terminology in describing the film itself, the overall tone heavily favors the negative aspects of Gibson's public image. For instance, the description of his views as 'balbuceos desordenados' (disordered babblings) is clearly a loaded term that conveys a negative judgment.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Mel Gibson's controversial statements and past behavior, potentially omitting positive aspects of his career or contributions to the film industry. The article mentions his charitable work with Survivor Mitzvah Project but doesn't delve into the extent or impact of this contribution. It also omits any discussion of critical reviews or audience reception for "Amenaza en el aire" beyond box office numbers, limiting a comprehensive understanding of the film's success or failure.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between Gibson's controversial persona and his filmmaking career. It suggests that the film's downplaying of his name in promotional materials is solely due to his past controversies, without exploring other potential marketing strategies or reasons for the decision. The narrative also frames Gibson's worldview as a simple 'struggle between good and evil,' overlooking the complexity of his beliefs and actions.
Gender Bias
The article includes several instances of potentially gendered language. Descriptions of Gibson's interactions with his former partner, Oksana Grigorieva, are presented in a way that could be interpreted as sensationalizing the violence and emphasizing her victimhood. The article uses quotes from Gibson that are overtly sexist and misogynistic, but these are presented without thorough analysis or discussion of the broader societal context of such language. While it mentions the violence against Grigorieva, it does not delve deeply into the systemic issues of domestic violence and gender inequality.
Sustainable Development Goals
Mel Gibson's history of controversial statements and actions, including accusations of violence, sexism, and antisemitism, undermines progress toward promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions. His past actions and statements have caused significant harm and fueled social division, directly contradicting the principles of this SDG.