Apocalypto and the Mayan Calendar Portal

Dear all,

For those of you planning on seeing Mel Gibson's film Apocalypto this weekend, I want to suggest an alternative source of information about the Mayan culture, namely, their Sacred Calendar. We've recently launched the Mayan Calendar Portal, in collaboration with Dr. Carl Johan Calleman, one of the world's leading authorities on the Mayan Calendar whose work is considered valid and accurate by the Council of Elders of the Maya themselves. The Portal can be accessed via www.maya-portal.net. We feel Apocalypto should not be the only source of information about the Maya and their fantastic culture for mainstream audiences -- as does tend to happen these days, with major Hollywood films about ancient cultures or historical events. Media reviews are already pointing to how violent the film is, and we're concerned this might make a certain impression on the public mind about the Maya that is not completely accurate. I realize some may not see this kind of thing as related to sustainability and business, but it is certainly of great relevance to the topic of ensuring the respect and integrity of other cultures and peoples, and of communicating and marketing their ideas, their beliefs, their customs and practices. I would also be particularly interested to hear from those of you on this list who are working with, on behalf of, or indirectly with, indigenous cultures throughout the world and how you feel Hollywood films impact the world's understanding of these cultures in general.

Cheers
Birgitte

Birgitte Rasine
Producer LUCITA
www.lucita.net
tel: +1 203.878.2137
fax: +1 203.345.0796
email: [email protected]