Rumours swirled that Martin Scorsese might bid farewell to filmmaking, igniting concern among fans and cinephiles alike. These rumours began circulating when delays were reported in his planned projects on Frank Sinatra and Jesus. The legendary filmmaker has firmly dispelled those speculations. “I’m not saying goodbye to cinema at all,” he said during a press conference on October 7 at the Museum of Cinema in Turin, Italy. “I still have more films to make, and I hope God gives me the strength to make them,” he added.
Scorsese’s visit to Turin coincides with an event where he will be honoured with the prestigious Stella della Mole award. Close friends such as Willem Dafoe, Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore, and production designer Dante Ferretti will join him in celebrating this achievement.
In a candid discussion with journalists in Turin, Scorsese also shared his thoughts on the upcoming US elections.
Reflecting on his 2002 film, Gangs of New York, Scorsese said, “When we filmed Gangs of New York at Cinecittà, we portrayed a violent, bloody 19th century America, with a brutal character — Bill the Butcher, played by Daniel Day-Lewis. People like him are showing up again. We don’t know what’s going to happen in a few weeks,” referring to the November 5t election. “Democracy could continue, or this experiment could end,” he reportedly said.
Scorsese drew parallels between the political atmosphere now and his historical drama, which captured the violent conflicts between rival Irish gangs in New York.
“I never thought I’d live through a moment like this. It reminds me of Federico Fellini, who, while filming Satyricon, said as he walked through Rome: ‘I feel like I’m back in ancient Roman times.’ Now I feel like we’re back in the world of Gangs of New York, a film about violent clashes between immigrant ethnic groups fighting for control of New York and, metaphorically, America,” he said.
The evening at the Museum of Cinema also saw Scorsese reportedly discussing his ongoing film project, which has a focus on Italy. “I’m filming between Ustica and Taormina. It’s a documentary about marine archaeology,” Scorsese said.
He mentioned that the documentary, co-produced with the Sicilian region, will include filming at sites such as the Selinunte Archaeological Park, Pantelleria and various museums in Sicily. “I saw an amphora (an ancient Greek or Roman jar) pulled from the sea, and it moved me deeply,” he added.
Scorsese also plans to visit the town of Polizzi Generosa, where his grandfather, Francesco, was born. “Our original name was ‘Scorzese,’ with a ‘z,’ possibly suggesting ancient Scottish roots,” he reflected.
When asked about the recurring theme of violence in his films, Scorsese provided a more nuanced view of the concept. “I think violence is part of who we are. Growing up, I saw it all around me. I’ve seen good people do bad things. Violence is part of how we interact — it’s even present in a production meeting or a bank boardroom, just disguised as something more ‘civilized.’ Even when you avoid looking someone in the eye, that’s a form of violence, too,” he said.
Comments
0 comment