Before its release , much of the coverage focussed on the unavoidable association between the protagonist 's issues and Mel Gibson 's own well-publicized personal and legal problems ( see ) , including a conviction of battery of his ex-girlfriend . Wrote '' Time '' magazine : " '' The Beaver '' is a somber , sad domestic drama featuring an alcoholic in acute crisis ... It 's hard to separate Gibson 's true-life story from what 's happening onscreen . " In 2014 , Gibson signed on to direct '' Hacksaw Ridge '' , a World War II drama based on the true story of conscientious objector Desmond T. Doss , played by Andrew Garfield . The film premiered at the 73rd Venice Film Festival in September 2016 and received what '' The New Zealand Herald '' calls " rave reviews " . It has won or been nominated for many awards , including Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture , Best Director for Gibson , and Best Actor for Garfield . '' Hacksaw Ridge '' was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture , Best Director , Best Actor , Best Sound Editing , Best Sound Mixing , and Best Film Editing . The film grossed $ 164 million worldwide , four times its production costs
73rd Venice Film Festival
73rd Venice International Film Festival
Mel Gibson