Mel Gibson's New Flick Has Activist Groups Speculating

Mel Gibson's new epic film, "Apocolypto," is already prompting some concern from indigenous affairs activists in Mexico.

The Miami Herald reports that several leaders are afraid that the movie might exploit or patronize the Maya.

Fernando Nava, director of the National Indigenous Language Institute, acknowledged that filming in the Mayan language could help the general population to know that the language exists and that people continue to use it.

But he was also concerned that the movie not "ideologically contradict [the realities of] Maya culture, or present it in such a way that it offends present-day Maya people."

Xochitl Gálvez, director of the National Commission for Indian Development, expressed guarded optimism. "Hopefully, Mel Gibson has put together an appropriate advisory team so as to avoid any errors," she said.

Miguel May May, chair of Maya language and culture at the Institute for the Development of Maya Culture in Yucatan state, spoke of the careful guidance necessary when using indigenous language.

Gibson's use of the Maya "is something that must be managed carefully, so that we don't become objects of ridicule and our language and culture are not 'folklorized,'" May May said.

The Left Coast Report says there's no word yet whether Abe Foxman has an indigenous disclaimer to recommend.