Culture 11.16.15 at 11:30 am

Guillermo Del Toro Urges Us Not to Fight Hate With Hate in Wake of Paris Terror Attacks

By Yara Simón

11.16.15 at 11:30 am

Lead Photo: Loic Venance

As more information is released about the Paris terror attacks and people continue to reel from the events that left more than 120 dead, Guillermo del Toro shared his own harrowing experience.

In 1997, del Toros’ father was kidnapped from Guadalajara, and the kidnappers asked for a $1 million ransom for his safety. Del Toro had put all his money in his first Hollywood film, Mimic, so James Cameron stepped up and gave him the money he needed.

In a series of tweets, del Toro explained that though he was angry and hurt, he didn’t want to spread more hate when given the opportunity to get revenge on the people who caused his family so much pain.

Check out the touching and personal story below:

What terror seeks is to provoke hatred- and thus, they will recruit the hated ones, the marginal, the desperate into their ranks.

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 14, 2015

A memory in 8 tweets: During the captivity of my father- a time of enormous pain- two policemen came to see us. They had two proposals.

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 14, 2015

The first was: For 5K, they would give us a room with the kidnappers, tied to a chair. They would provide a lead pipe & 15 minutes alone.

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 14, 2015

The second one: For 10K they would make sure that- when the raid happened- all kidnappers would get killed and we’d get Polaroids.

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 14, 2015

We said no. Absolutely no to both. We felt hatred and pain but could not be a part of the cycle of violence.

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 14, 2015

72 days after his capture, my father was liberated.

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 14, 2015

Months passed and several families that had gone through similar ordeals joined in a restaurant to have dinner and exchange support.

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 14, 2015

During dinner: a small commotion. Some people rushed to the end of the long, long table. “What is it, I asked?” “Some photos” someone said.

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 14, 2015

I stayed on my side of the table. Never looked. Perhaps someone had paid? I didn’t want to know.

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 14, 2015

In times like this- when violence breeds violence, I think of that day and pray for wisdom and strength.

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 14, 2015

guillermo del toro terrorism