Mel Gibson Back in Hollywood's Good Graces

The American star is set to receive the Hollywood Director Award at the Hollywood Film Awards, held two days after the release of his upcoming movie "Hacksaw Ridge," the event's organizers have announced.

Hot on the heels of Tom Hooper in 2015 (The Danish Girl), and David O. Russell, Oliver Stone, Ron Howard and Martin Scorsese in previous years, Mel Gibson will be the latest filmmaker crowned with a Hollywood Director Award at the Hollywood Film Awards, established in 1997. Mel Gibson has scooped the prize for his fifth movie, "Hacksaw Ridge," which marks a return to Hollywood glory for the director.

The film is set in the Second World War and follows the story of Desmond Doss, an army medic and the only American soldier to serve on the front lines with no weapon. Andrew Garfield plays the role of this conscientious objector who was awarded the Medal of Honor for saving lives under enemy fire. He is joined on the cast by Matthew Vaughn, Sam Worthington, Teresa Palmer and Luke Bracey.

First movie in 10 years

It has been a decade since Mel Gibson last got behind the camera, after some of his previous projects were the subject of controversy. Despite enjoying box-office success, "The Passion of the Christ" (2004), filmed in Armenian, Hebrew and Latin, divided opinion and was considered by some to have anti-Semitic undertones. Two years later, Apocalypto set in the Mayan kingdom before the Spanish conquest, also sparked debate.

Accusations of anti-Semitism and homophobic slurs seriously damaged the public image of the star, who pulled back from the industry for a few years. Yet his directorial career got off to a promising start. His 1996 movie Braveheart based on William Wallace, who led the Scots in the First War of Independence, bagged five Oscars for Mel Gibson, including gongs for Best Picture and Best Director.

With Hacksaw Ridge the American director seems to have made peace with Hollywood. He will receive the award November 6, two days after the movie's US release. Other awards will go to Eddie Murphy (Career Achievement Award), Tom Hanks (Hollywood Actor Award), Hugh Grant (Hollywood Supporting Actor Award), Nicole Kidman (Hollywood Supporting Actress Award) and Tom Ford (Hollywood Breakthrough Director Award).