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Adl attacks gibson film { July 22 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26264-2003Jul22.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26264-2003Jul22.html
Mel Gibson's Washington Power Play
By Lloyd Grove
Tuesday, July 22, 2003; Page C03
Movie star Mel Gibson -- under fire from Jewish groups and religious scholars for his still-unreleased film that graphically portrays the crucifixion of Jesus -- yesterday screened a two-hour rough cut of "The Passion" for a select group of Washington pundits, clergymen, cybergossip Matt Drudge and Hollywood lobbyist Jack Valenti, and at least one White House staffer.
"I've heard people talking about how I can't get a distributor," the casually dressed Gibson -- sporting sweat pants, sandals and white socks -- told the four dozen audience members. "Believe me, I can get a distributor."
A vocal conservative and devout Catholic, the 47-year-old Academy Award winner has weathered accusations of anti-Semitism for the movie, which is being produced by his company, Icon Productions. The influential Anti-Defamation League, which monitors incidents of anti-Semitism, has been especially critical, pointing out on its Web site the long historical relationship between passion plays and attacks on Jews: "ADL has serious concerns regarding Mr. Gibson's 'The Passion' and asks: Will the final version of 'The Passion' continue to portray Jews as blood-thirsty, sadistic and money-hungry enemies of Jesus? Will it correct the unambiguous depiction of Jews as the ones responsible for the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus?"
Yesterday's secret screening at the Motion Picture Association of America included columnists Peggy Noonan, Cal Thomas and Kate O'Beirne; conservative essayist Michael Novak; President Bush's abortive nominee for labor secretary, Linda Chavez; staff director Mark Rodgers of the Senate Republican conference chaired by Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.); former Republican House member Mark Siljander of Michigan; and White House staffer David Kuo, deputy director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
"I find this sad," said ADL National Director Abraham Foxman, who hasn't been permitted to see the movie. "Here's a man who appeals to the mass audience, but he feels he has to surround himself with a cordon sanitaire of people who back him theologically and maybe ideologically and will stand up and be supportive when the time comes. My request still stands: I would like to see the movie, and if it turns out I was wrong, I'll be the first to say so."
Yesterday when the lights came up, many in the audience -- who were required to sign a confidentiality agreement before being admitted to the screening room -- were in tears. Some were sobbing, we hear.
"Heartbreaking," Michael Novak told Gibson. "The Exorcist" author William Peter Blatty called the movie "a tremendous depiction of evil." MPAA President Valenti was perhaps the most enthusiastic. "I don't see what the controversy is all about," he told fellow audience members. "This is a compelling piece of art. I just called Kirk Douglas and told him that this is the movie to beat."
Another invitee, right-wing radio host Laura Ingraham, flew here from San Francisco to see the film but arrived too late and missed it. "I'm so bummed," Ingraham told us. "I want to see any movie that drives the anti-Christian entertainment elite crazy."
THIS JUST IN...
• When Laura Bush calls, even staunch Democrats Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg, along with stars Tobey Maguire and Bill Macy, answer. The Hollywoodites screened the DreamWorks movie "Seabiscuit" last night at the White House for President Bush and his wife, an admirer of the movie-inspiring bestseller by Washington writer (and dinner guest) Laura Hillenbrand. "There's no truth to the rumor that sugar cubes and carrots were on the menu," a White House wag told us yesterday.
• Watch your back, James Carville! Add "Democratic strategist" to the titles that right-wing hit man-turned-liberal loyalist David Brock might soon put on his résumé. Brock has attracted the friendship of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and admiring words from onetime target Bill Clinton since last year's release of his confessional memoir, "Blinded by the Right." Now he's hard at work on "The Republican Noise Machine," for which Crown has paid a mid-six-figure advance. We're told that the book, a history of conservative media dominance, will include Brock's ideas for how the Democrats can reclaim the bully pulpit and win the 2004 election.
• Speaking of Mel Gibson, he slipped into town Sunday night and ate dinner with two associates at the otherwise empty Bombay Club after closing time -- leaving a 30 percent tip and wolfing down two lamb dishes and tandoori shrimp -- and then played pool till midnight at Bedrock Billiards in Adams Morgan.
With Anne Schroeder
© 2003 The Washington Post Company
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