S Poddar
Marty Scorsese has squashed retirement rumors with a vengeance, confirming his desires to continue making films. During an Italian press conference, the 81-year-old film magnate spoke to recent claims that two of his long-stewing projects had hit the backburner. “I am not saying goodbye to the cinema at all … I have more movies to make and I hope God will give me the strength to make them,” Scorsese declared.
The comments were made just before an award ceremony in Turin, following recent delays in two much-awaited films captured much attention for Scorsese. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Scorsese clarified all the passion to make films has not waned despite setbacks.
In late September, Variety reported that two of Scorsese’s major projects, the Sinatra biopic and a film adaptation of Shūsaku Endō’s 1973 novel A Life of Jesus, had been shelved. The news sparked talk that the celebrated director was wrapping up his career. But Scorsese’s words at the press conference were enough to dispel such an idea altogether.
Scorsese’s next big cinematic venture outside Killers of the Flower Moon, which has only recently begun to attract more significant critical attention, was expected to be this biographical Jesus film based on Endō’s A Life of Jesus. The project focuses on a biographic treatment of Jesus through the eyes of a highly personal and spiritual vision that Endō believed in. Scorsese is no stranger to the author’s writing; he directed an adaptation of Endō’s earlier novel Silence to the big screen in 2016. Yet the new development remains unsold to a cast nor formally scheduled for production; so, it is anyone’s guess when, or if, it will be made.
The Frank Sinatra biopic has also been in development since 2009. Originally set to begin shooting in November, the production on the film was suddenly shut down, and no date has ever been called to resume production. It is said that creative differences between Scorsese and Sinatra’s family have kept the project stalled. Such visible family members have shown a level of unease with the planned performance Scorsese was going to depict Sinatra, specifically in terms of his relationship with organized crime, a theme the acclaimed film director is better known for presenting through his films.
However, these obstacles would not appear to push Scorsese from vacating the director’s position. Actually, he was discussing a new project-in the production line already-a documentary entitled Shipwrecks of Sicily. This documentary project involving marine archaeologist Dr. Lisa Briggs explores marine archaeology as a story of discovery and recovery of ancient artifacts off the coast of Sicily. “In a way, it has quite moved me”, Scorsese said, referring to the experience of working on the documentary near his ancestral home in Italy. “Recovering ancient artifacts from the seabed really moved me,” Scorsese noted, suggesting his interest in history and storytelling remains very much on fire, whether using fiction narrative or documentary work.
It is clear in this regard that the filmmaker has been dedicated to film as long as he can recall: Not only did he want to conclude such ambitious undertakings, but he was constantly embarking on new ones. Scorsese has always been one of the most influential filmmakers in history, with classics such as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and The Irishman standing as iconic works that have left an indelible mark on the film industry.
While Killers of the Flower Moon received rave reviews, Scorsese’s genius for storytelling and mastery over writing captivating stories based on characters has not declined with time. His love for telling stories, whether it is through digging into Jesus and Sinatra or finding lost treasures hidden deep beneath the sea, proves that he still has the same high energy for his creative spirit.
In the face of postponements and production delays, the idea of Scorsese’s retirement comes across as premature. His urge to create is just as strong, and so long as he is able, it appears probable that he will keep bringing his special vision to the silver screen. For now, though, the apolitical Scorsese devotee will be buoyed by the director’s own words: he “has more films to make.” Whether it’s Sinatra: a Biopic or something we hadn’t imagined, world cinema is holding its collective breath to see what Scorsese will be up to next.
