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Director and film star Mel Gibson is expected to attend a special screening tonight of his new film, "Apocalypto." All the money raised at the event will go to the Mayan people of Mexico and to several Oklahoma organizations.

The screening will be at 8 tonight at Riverwind Casino south of Norman. The film will be in general release Dec. 8. Corporate sponsors have donated $150,000, and Gibson has promised to match all proceeds from the benefit.

"This event provides an opportunity to support a number of organizations who are doing great work," Bill Anoatubby, governor of the Chickasaw Nation, said in a release. "We are enjoying success in our business ventures, and we feel it is very important to express our appreciation to the community in a meaningful way."

Proceeds from the special screening will go to the Mayan people of Mexico, the Oklahoma Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America Inc., Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa and Oklahoma City Indian Clinic.

Also of benefit to American Indians: the casting of indigenous actors.

"It is very important to note that Mr. Gibson has gone to great lengths to cast indigenous people in this film," Anoatubby said. "This not only helps make the film more realistic, it serves as an inspiration to Native American actors who aspire to perform relevant roles in the film industry."

Rudy Youngblood, who lived in Ada, plays the lead role of Jaguar Paw. Youngblood has Comanche, Cree and Yaqui heritage.

"Jaguar Paw is a lot like me," Youngblood said in a release. "We're from different eras but very much the same person. He is strong. He's a giver, not a taker. He loves his family. He's respectful, and he learns in the course of the story not to be afraid. This is also what I've been taught in my culture."

He performed most of his character's stunts.

"The physicality of this film was gut-wrenching, and some of the scenes — jumping off the waterfall and being chased by the jaguar — were literally heart-pounding for me," Youngblood said. "There was constant adrenaline, constant action and lots of pain and fear, but Jaguar Paw is able to transcend all of that. It's part of who he is."

Anoatubby said he hopes the screening will also serve as an inspiration. "Our mission has always been to enhance the overall quality of life of Chickasaw citizens. This kind of charitable event enables us to move beyond material benefits and instill a sense of pride and self-esteem in our citizens because they can see that we are supporting the community in which we live."

For more information, call the Riverwind Casino box office at 322-6460.