Irish and International Industry Colleagues Praise Mel Gibson’s Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema
Irish and international colleagues of Mel Gibson bestowed praise on the career of the world renowned director/producer and actor at the Irish Film and Television Awards in Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre.
Dublin, Ireland, March 01, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Irish and international colleagues of Mel Gibson bestowed praise on the career of the world renowned director/producer and actor at the Irish Film and Television Awards in Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre at the weekend.
Mel Gibson was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award at the Irish Film & Television Awards in Dublin by his ‘Braveheart’ co-star, Irish actor Sean McGinley. In his tribute to the Australian filmmaker, McGinley reflected on his time with Gibson;
“He is remembered with warmth and affection by everyone I know who worked on the film, and it goes without saying that we take some pride in his achievements ever since, and I hope you won’t mind if I say this, on behalf of us all here, we will always think of him as one of our own.”
Others recognising the merits of Mel’s career to date included his ‘Air America’ co-star Robert Downey Junior. Downey said “You are a man amongst men,” adding “the value of Mel, amongst his many other contributions, is his sincere artistry, his determination and his inability to not give a thousand percent to his vision - and believe me he is a man of exceptional vision.”
Building on the idea of Mel’s extraordinary vision and creativity, Oscar winning director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Far and Away) said: “Congratulations on this much deserved acknowledgement from the IFTA. I really wish I could be there with you… Having watched all the films that you’ve directed, I just have to say without a doubt, you are an artist of uncommon vision.”
Acknowledging her friendship and working relationship with Mel Gibson, screen actress Rene Russo travelled to Dublin especially to attend the IFTA ceremony. Whist here Gibson described the actress as “a woman of extraordinary soul”, and Russo, who starred opposite Gibson on three motion pictures, stated “Mel, Ireland, it doesn’t get better than that!” Speaking on the red carpet at the IFTAs, the actress also commented: “I would really go half way around the world for him - which I did, and would do it again. He’s an amazing human being.”
‘Lethal Weapon’ director Richard Donner also expressed his deep friendship with Gibson saying “I miss you, you went to Ireland without me.”
The Irish Film & Television Academy’s decision to honour Mel Gibson with their inaugural Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award stems from the success of Mel’s Irish filmed feature ‘Braveheart’. The multi-award winning film was shot on location in Ireland in 1994 and was the first major production to avail of the newly introduced tax breaks. As a result Ireland’s landscape, facilities and pool of talented crew and actors was brought to an international stage, helping to establish the successful industry in Ireland today.
Speaking about the award, Aine Moriarty, CEO of the Irish Film & Television Academy said:
“The Academy holds Mr. Gibson’s film achievements in the highest regard. His drive, vision and determination have inspired so many young Irish filmmakers over the past three decades who have followed his creative journey in filmmaking, both in front of and behind the camera, moreover since he filmed the epic Braveheart here, which won five Academy Awards.”
Morgan O’Sullivan, the Irish co-producer on ‘Braveheart’, said of Gibson’s time in Ireland: “Braveheart indeed was a wonderful experience, it was a daunting task for you which you did with great aplomb and great energy. I will always remember your energy. It’s thanks to you that I suppose we’ve got the scale of industry that we’ve got today, and we wish you well this evening.”
Finally, receiving his award with a standing ovation from the 850 capacity crowd, Gibson expressed his thanks for the honour, remembering his mother Anne Reilly, who was born in County Longford.
“Thank you so much for this incredible honor. I’m really happy and pleased to be here…I remember with a great deal of fondness great memories of my time here and all the men and women that worked with me and helped me achieve my vision. Some of them were just fledging at the time and now they are kinda like veterans of camerawork and other aspects of film-making art, which is really gratifying to see how they’ve risen so far, when you saw where they started... I simply can’t express how moved I am and my ole Mum would really have loved to have been here to see this. But, em, maybe she’s watching? I’d like to thank you all from the very bottom of my heart.”
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Mel Gibson was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award at the Irish Film & Television Awards in Dublin by his ‘Braveheart’ co-star, Irish actor Sean McGinley. In his tribute to the Australian filmmaker, McGinley reflected on his time with Gibson;
“He is remembered with warmth and affection by everyone I know who worked on the film, and it goes without saying that we take some pride in his achievements ever since, and I hope you won’t mind if I say this, on behalf of us all here, we will always think of him as one of our own.”
Others recognising the merits of Mel’s career to date included his ‘Air America’ co-star Robert Downey Junior. Downey said “You are a man amongst men,” adding “the value of Mel, amongst his many other contributions, is his sincere artistry, his determination and his inability to not give a thousand percent to his vision - and believe me he is a man of exceptional vision.”
Building on the idea of Mel’s extraordinary vision and creativity, Oscar winning director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Far and Away) said: “Congratulations on this much deserved acknowledgement from the IFTA. I really wish I could be there with you… Having watched all the films that you’ve directed, I just have to say without a doubt, you are an artist of uncommon vision.”
Acknowledging her friendship and working relationship with Mel Gibson, screen actress Rene Russo travelled to Dublin especially to attend the IFTA ceremony. Whist here Gibson described the actress as “a woman of extraordinary soul”, and Russo, who starred opposite Gibson on three motion pictures, stated “Mel, Ireland, it doesn’t get better than that!” Speaking on the red carpet at the IFTAs, the actress also commented: “I would really go half way around the world for him - which I did, and would do it again. He’s an amazing human being.”
‘Lethal Weapon’ director Richard Donner also expressed his deep friendship with Gibson saying “I miss you, you went to Ireland without me.”
The Irish Film & Television Academy’s decision to honour Mel Gibson with their inaugural Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award stems from the success of Mel’s Irish filmed feature ‘Braveheart’. The multi-award winning film was shot on location in Ireland in 1994 and was the first major production to avail of the newly introduced tax breaks. As a result Ireland’s landscape, facilities and pool of talented crew and actors was brought to an international stage, helping to establish the successful industry in Ireland today.
Speaking about the award, Aine Moriarty, CEO of the Irish Film & Television Academy said:
“The Academy holds Mr. Gibson’s film achievements in the highest regard. His drive, vision and determination have inspired so many young Irish filmmakers over the past three decades who have followed his creative journey in filmmaking, both in front of and behind the camera, moreover since he filmed the epic Braveheart here, which won five Academy Awards.”
Morgan O’Sullivan, the Irish co-producer on ‘Braveheart’, said of Gibson’s time in Ireland: “Braveheart indeed was a wonderful experience, it was a daunting task for you which you did with great aplomb and great energy. I will always remember your energy. It’s thanks to you that I suppose we’ve got the scale of industry that we’ve got today, and we wish you well this evening.”
Finally, receiving his award with a standing ovation from the 850 capacity crowd, Gibson expressed his thanks for the honour, remembering his mother Anne Reilly, who was born in County Longford.
“Thank you so much for this incredible honor. I’m really happy and pleased to be here…I remember with a great deal of fondness great memories of my time here and all the men and women that worked with me and helped me achieve my vision. Some of them were just fledging at the time and now they are kinda like veterans of camerawork and other aspects of film-making art, which is really gratifying to see how they’ve risen so far, when you saw where they started... I simply can’t express how moved I am and my ole Mum would really have loved to have been here to see this. But, em, maybe she’s watching? I’d like to thank you all from the very bottom of my heart.”
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Contact
Irish Film & Television Academy
Tanya Warren
00353 1 6200811
www.ifta.ie
Tanya Warren
00353 1 6200811
www.ifta.ie
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