I wrote here several days ago, and prior to that several months about the schande that ABC had perpetrated by partnering with Mel Gibson’s production company to produce a Holocaust miniseries about the remarkable life of Dutch survivor, Flory Van Beek. It seems that ABC, unlike Israel in Lebanon, knows when to fold up the tent. The NY Times reports that ABC has cancelled its commitment to the project though it callowly refused to link his anti-Semitic tirade to its decision (though the rest of the world will do that for them):
On Monday, Hope Hartman, a spokeswoman for Disney’s ABC television network, said the company was dropping its plans to produce a Holocaust-themed miniseries in collaboration with Mr. Gibson.
“Given that it’s been nearly two years and we have yet to see the first draft of a script, we have decided to no longer pursue this project with Icon,” Ms. Hartman said, referring to Mr. Gibson’s production company.
She did not connect the project’s termination to Mr. Gibson’s remarks.
Sure, blame the screenwriter instead of the real reason. I tell you Hollywood execs can be just as two-faced as politicians sometimes.
But what would be truly tragic would be the loss of an opportunity to produce a film or TV version of Flory Van Beek’s heroic life. I only hope that Gibson will sell the project to a producer more deserving of producing it instead of letting it languish in production Hell.
Slate notes that Disney’s head of production (the studio is releasing Gibson’s next film), Oren Aviv, is willing to let bygones be bygones:
I’ve worked with Mel on several films over the years and we have a great relationship. We all make mistakes and I’ve accepted his apology to what was a regrettable situation. I wish him the very best on his path to healing.”
But it prefaces the above passage with this deliciously ironic comment:
Aviv, who recently ascended to head of the Disney film studio, happens to be a committed member of the tribe that Gibson seems to blame for everything.
Aside from the clear message that making money clearly trumps decency in Hollywood, how can Aviv justify such a stupid statement? Does he have no respect for his own religion and people? I bet he does–as long as he’s not sitting in his Disney office and dealing with a powerhouse talent like Gibson. So how much value does someone like Aviv really attach to his heritage if he can leave it at his office door so easily?
What a relief, imagine the irony and the probable insulting result this mini series would have become.
As for Hollywood, of all the many starts of Jewish heritage, have you ever heard one say anything at all concerning their heritage? (Kirk Douglas as half senile exception)
I think that the more important question than why is Aviv doing what he’s doing is why are we doing what we are doing? How can I commit to not going to see movies that feature Mel Gibson? How can I stop supporting his career? How can I make a statement against his dispicable anti-Semitism. The place to start tikkun olam is within ourselves.
I wouldn’t credit studio executives w. having much spine regarding their heritage. But there have been many actors who do. Kirk Douglas is one shining example whom you pointed out. Spielberg is another. You aren’t going to see Mel Gibson starring in any Spielberg films in either of their lifetimes. You remember films like Gentleman’s Agreement & From Here to Eternity of course, which dealt with anti-Semitism.