This year’s TIFF controversy: Mel Gibson, yea or nay?

It seems appropriate that the grand fête of film in the land of political correctness is shrouded in some controversy every year. Last year, the big stink at TIFF was a program commemorating the centennial anniversary of Tel Aviv. Jane Fonda, Eve Ensler and Danny Glover boycotted the festival in protest. This year’s debacle (so far) is whether TIFF should admit Mel Gibson onto the red carpet; he’s the star of Jodie Foster’s flick The Beaver, which was supposed to be a huge festival draw. But after media backlash surrounding Gibson’s alleged abuse of his ex-girlfriend, his career is in more peril than ever.

Some speculate The Beaver won’t even receive a wide release in the U.S. this year. “They don’t know what’s going to happen,” a festival insider told Shinan Govani. Now Summit Entertainment, the studio in charge of The Beaver, is considering removing the film from the festival circuit altogether. If they want to get their movie on the festival bill, though, they’d better pre-empt Gibson—he still has two months to make more sexist and racist gaffes.

• Gibson’s career stained by controversy [Sydney Morning Herald]
• Shinan: Leave out the Beaver? [National Post]