1456 Mel Gibson's Apocalypse
austraLasia 1456

Mel Gibson's Apocalypse

SUVA: 20th February 2006 -- "Of man's first disobedience, and the Fruit / of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste / brought death into the world with all our woe  / and loss of Eden till one greater Man  / restore us...".
    If you know where that line comes from, you win a week on exclusive Mago (pronounced 'mungo'), island in Fiji, all expenses paid.  Several things might prevent you from claiming your prize.  Firstly, the Brothers at Don Bosco House in Suva will probably beat you to it.  Secondly, Mago island is not the easiest place in the world to reach, being in the Northern Lau group in the Fijian archipelago and only occasionally served by ships.  And thirdly, it is a private island, not a resort.  Mel Gibson bought it last year.  There are five and a half thousand acres and two lagoons to the island, making it one of if not the largest of the private islands in the South Pacific.  If you were looking for anywhere to contemplate the dawn of creation, then Mago would be it. The international date line takes an eastward bend just to make sure Mago is on the right side of the dawn!  But indications are that Mel is contemplating creation with a bang.
    Mel has decided to set up a bowling alley on the island.  There was one in Suva years ago, owned and run by a Korean businessman, but it never made any money.  Mel has bought it, and now it is being shipped to Mago.  I once read a review of The Passion of the Christ which compared the appearance of a new and startling film to a bowling alley: "new films knock down old films as bowling balls knock down bowling pins in successive frames", the reviewer said.  Mel probably read that review, and may well be reflecting on the success of his new movie now, a year or two later. 
    We already know the title of Mel Gibson's next movie.  It will be called "Apocalypto".  The Greek name is deceptive, since the movie will be based on a Mayan myth and is being filmed in Mexico.  It is a 'Fin de los tiempos' theme, but with a new beginning to follow. Mayan astronomers had calculated October 21st 2012 as the date of the apocalyptic event when the world will end in fire but be reborn.  The movie will be well completed before then!

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