Mel Gibson Opens Up About 'Hacksaw Ridge' Getting a Standing Ovation: 'I Feel Really Fortunate'

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Mel Gibson's newest film has some thinking he's made a comeback.

The 60-year-old actor, who gets into the director's chair once again for Hacksaw Ridge, opened up to ET -- along with the film's star, Andrew Garfield -- about the nearly 10-minute standing ovation the movie received at this year's Venice Film Festival.

While acknowledging that "it's no secret" that he's had some rough years in his personal life, Gibson told ET's Nischelle Turner, "I feel really fortunate to be able to work at something I love to do ... It's nice to go to Venice, and have them stand up."

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"Every second of it felt great," Gibson said of the lengthy recognition. "One wants as many people to see it as possible, and to have it reacted to like that is just gratifying and it reaffirms, 'Hey, maybe I know what I'm doing.'"

When asked whether he worried if he'd ever get back to his creative place, Gibson replied, "It doesn't occur to me, but I suppose that can happen ... You can't stop too much to think about that."

During the discussion, Garfield shared what it was like being directed by Gibson, calling it a "wonder."

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"He keeps us so incredibly light," the 33-year-old actor explained. "He doesn't want us to fall too far down into self-seriousness."

Meanwhile, Dick Clark Productions announced that Gibson is to be honored with the "Hollywood Director Award" at this year's Hollywood Film Awards on Nov. 6.

The recognition will take place at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, two days after Hacksaw Ridge -- which also stars Vince Vaughn and Teresa Palmer -- arrives in theaters on Nov. 4.

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