What can possibly be added to the discussion about Apocalypto  that we haven't heard?  Funny you should ask…because Colorado writer Carlos Guevara answers. No, his analysis isn't the usual blah de blah defense or academic vitriol; but it is pointed…and irreverent…and, I'll let you decide for yourself…:)

By Carlos Guevara

Mel, Mel, Mel, my what a can of worms you opened… Just some interesting feedback from the people he insulted, just in case your media provider did not print these tidbits eh.  

IGNACIO OCHOA, Director of the Nahual Foundation that promotes Mayan culture states; "Gibson replays… an offensive and racist notion that Maya people were brutal to one another long before the arrival of Europeans and thus they deserved, in fact, needed, rescue."   

RICARDO CAJAS, Guatemala Presidential Commissioner on Racism states; "It's a case of Western civilization imposing its view about other civilizations. It shows the Mayans as a barbarous, murderous people that can only be saved by the arrival of the Spanish."   

With more than half the population of Guatemala descendants of the Mayan people, it is not hard to see why they are up in arms over the movie Apocalypto  that promotes the lies that were originally made to mask the wholesale murder of a race of Natives along with the theft of the prized gold.  Surly.  

Further, Mel was vacillating over attending the premiere in Mexico since the movie has caused such a tumult among the Indians in that and other countries.  But now he claims that he will attend the opening.  He also claims that the Maya were “cool” and encouraged young Mayans "to speak it with pride".  

Of course Apocalypto  has smashed box office records in ticket sales of a foreign language film as thousands flocked to see this film across Great Britain.  It is believed it will continue to break records as it sweeps across Europe.  

So now Mel is making the “Big Bucks” with this film.  The Maya also believe that Mel has sent them back many years as a culture since they have been struggling since the conquest.  They also feel the movie is derogatory and demeaning to say the very least.  And, of course, it promotes many lies about their culture and history.  

That’s ok.  They are not as “Native” as tribes who speak English anyway.  After all, we all know that you're only Native if your conquerors were English.  A pock to those whose conquerors were French or Spanish fore they are not as Indian.  Why do I find this axiom so trite?  Divide and conquer and yup, we Natives are as divided as ever.  

But yea know something?  Ever since the arrival of the first explorers.  It's always been about the money.  And Mel, the self appointed Knights Templar, is no different.  And I say it again, Mel opened a can of worms this time.  The last thing the US or any other nation would want is for ALL the Natives of the America's to unite or even make recognition of the fact all us Skins are related. Funny thing is, DNA did not stop at the US/Mexican Border.  It went all the way to the tip of South America.