Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: What will Mel do with Passion Profits?

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Posted by Greg Anderson (Member # 235) on 02-19-2004, 09:15 AM:

When Schindler's List was released, Spielberg said he considered any profits from the movie to be "blood money" and he didn't want to keep the money. So there are some Holocaust-related causes which have used money from the movie. It seems obvious that Mel Gibson's new movie will be highly profitable. But while he was making the movie right up until a few weeks ago, Mel Gibson must have been convinced the movie would be a flop... just a cathartic exercise in expressing his own convictions.

So, I'm wondering if Mel Gibson has announced an "appropriate" use of the profits from this movie. Of course, he doesn't have to tell anyone anything about what he plans to do with any money he earns legally (except, maybe, the I.R.S.). But did he say anything? Now that his critics realize they cannot stop the movie from being A) released and B) a blockbuster, have any of them criticized Mel Gibson over the idea of making a profit from "selling" his religious convictions?

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 02-19-2004, 09:24 AM:

He had to risk his own jack to make it, so he deserves to reap the rewards. By the same token, no one [bs]

on Spielberg for making Schindler's List.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 02-19-2004, 10:11 AM:

For a long time there was a serious question mark over whether the film would get any distribution at all, but this didn't deter him from going ahead with the production at his own expense. So morally, I don't have a problem with him pocketing the profits. That having been said, a lot of the people who will be seeing this film will not be doing so in the sense of buying an entertainment product, but as an expression of their religious belief. Perhaps that makes some sort of special gesture on Gibson's behalf appropriate.

One of the investments Spielberg made with the profits from Schindler's List was to establish the Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. IMHO, Gibson could do a lot worse than to establish a similar organisation dedicated to preserving moving image heritage related to Christianity.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 02-19-2004, 11:34 AM:

I bet he'll give a chunk of money to "The Friends of Bill W."

He was on TV last week talking about the movie and his past abuses with alcohol, etc. I'm sure he's "In the Program" and he appeared to be on a "Pink Cloud" when he was on TV.

I don't have a problem with him keeping the money... It was HIS work and HE laid out the smack to get it made. Still, I think he'll give SOME money to SOMEbody.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 02-19-2004, 02:19 PM:

I would like him to send all the money to me.

Posted by Christian Appelt (Member # 1067) on 02-19-2004, 06:16 PM:

What would you do with all that money, Michael? [Eek!]

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 02-19-2004, 06:20 PM:

http://homepages.nyu.edu/~scs273/01.mov

The 3rd film from Mel Gibson:

Kill Christ

Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 02-19-2004, 08:49 PM:

I hope he just makes his production company strong enough to say screw Hollywood some more and release pictures regardless of what the media tells him and us is right. If done properly he could very positively effect the film industry.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 02-19-2004, 09:49 PM:

Persuade him that the time is right for The Second Coming...

...of 70mm!

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 02-20-2004, 01:15 AM:

I've got no problem with him keeping any profits.
He's done well with what he's made to this point.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 02-20-2004, 01:26 AM:

What would I do with all the money? I don`t really know yet. Probably the first thing I would do is import huge masses of Marzipan - incredible but true, people here don`t seem to know the best candy on the planet.

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 02-20-2004, 10:37 AM:

Michael, just a question - please don't get defensive. Why is it always "People here"? Is there anything good here? [evil]

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 02-20-2004, 12:52 PM:

It means that the people here don`t eat Marzipan. I don`t understand your question.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 02-20-2004, 01:18 PM:

Marzipan with the 60% sugar and almond paste doesn't do well with an Atkin's diet [Wink]

San Diego maybe a wasteland for marzipan but you can find it in Chicago, Boston and other cities.

Posted by William Leland III (Member # 1400) on 02-20-2004, 01:48 PM:

it's just a movie, who cares what he does with the profits, no one cared what he did the profits of Braveheart.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 02-20-2004, 06:17 PM:

True Marzipan contains "only" 30% sugar, 60% almonds and 10% other ingredients. The best and only pure Marzipan is made by Niederegger in Luebeck. Most other brands add a lot more sugar, then it is way to sweet and also a ripoff - you pay a lot of money for 70% sugar and a little almond paste.
I found that the "Cost Plus World Market" has a selection of different Marzipan brands, including some Niederegger. Try it - it will change your life!

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 02-20-2004, 06:22 PM:

Michael, all Marzipan brands suck!

I would much rather have an Almond Joy...they have nuts...Mounds don't.

>>> Phil

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 02-20-2004, 08:41 PM:

comparing this movie to schindlers list is kind of rediculous anyway. schindlers was a recreation of a true account, whereas Passion is one of those "reimagining" of original source material that may or may not have any real basis in fact.

Religeous conviction aside, do we only allow satan worshipers to keep profits from movies? Or do we just call them jewish? [Eek!]

All in jest, I wish I were jewish. For some reason the italian thing doesn't seem to mesh well with it.

Ciao

Dave

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 02-20-2004, 11:07 PM:

The best marzipan is that found within Mozart Balls. Chocolate outside; marzipan inside. Mmmmmm. From Salzburg, Austria, birthplace of Wolfie.

Posted by William Leland III (Member # 1400) on 02-21-2004, 02:58 AM:

Dave said

quote:
do we only allow Satan worshipers to keep profits from movies? Or do we just call them Jewish?

i agree with you 100%. pretty funny, your response made me laugh.

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 02-21-2004, 05:36 AM:

quote:
schindlers was a recreation of a true account, whereas Passion is one of those "reimagining" of original source material that may or may not have any real basis in fact.

schindler's list was a fictionalization, as is any non-documentary film that is "based on a true story". i'd be more inclined to call touching the void a recreation, but even that's iffy. at least i thought it avoided the epistemological confusion of the restagings on reality tv shows. it's impossible to recreate an event. that's one of those obvious points that's easy to ignore.

carl

Posted by Christian Appelt (Member # 1067) on 02-21-2004, 05:22 PM:

Ahoy Phil,

you should think twice before putting down Luebeck Marzipan. Look what the citizens of Luebeck and Hamburg did in 1401 to famous pirate Klaus Stoertebecker who kept stealing their marzipan loaded cargo ships: [Eek!]

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 02-21-2004, 05:34 PM:

Hahhaha That's funny, Chris!

I only said that to piss Mike off! [beer]

>>> Phil

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 02-21-2004, 05:48 PM:

This is what I did with our Passion profits.

He is going to live on the popcorn popper overlooking the box office.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 02-21-2004, 05:52 PM:

Ian! That's hilarious! A plastic JEEEZUS! He sorta looks like you... [beer]

Just don't put him on your car dashboard...he jumps out the window when you exceed the speed limit!

>>> Phil