It doesn't start shooting until March, but Mel Gibson's How I Spent My Summer Vacation has already lined up distributors for all over Europe (Icon is already set to distribute the film here) and a heap of controversy in Mexico, where it's set to be shot.
The distribution deals have all been set up at the European Film Market this week, a huge industry event where films are matched with the companies who can get them into cinemas around the world. It's like speed dating for movies. But far more interesting than that is the news that the film is set to shoot in an actual, working Mexican prison.
Yes, Gibson's going to the big house (insert libellous joke here), and apparently prisoner's families in Mexico are already complaining about the fact that some prisoners will have to be moved elsewhere in the prison for this to work.
The word is that the film's going to be extremely violent, but that it will also have comic touches. In other words, it's got Gibson's fingerprints all over it, even though he's starring and co-screenwriting but not directing this time. Instead, his Apocalypto first assistant director Adrian Grunberg will be taking the director's chair (after also working on the script along with Stacy Perskie).
So, shooting in an actual prison: does this display a commitment to authenticity or a possible death wish? Your comments please.