At a press conference during the Film Festival, it was disclosed that Martin Scorsese is still contemplating how to approach depicting the life of Jesus on the silver screen, as he is set to receive the honorary Golden Bear award on Tuesday evening.
Expressing his current contemplation, Scorsese mentioned his desire to create a distinctive and thought-provoking film about Jesus that is also entertaining. He admitted uncertainty regarding the specific direction of the project at this stage.
The renowned director initially expressed his interest in portraying the life of Jesus while participating in the Global Aesthetics of the Catholic Imagination conference hosted by Pope Francis at the Vatican last May.
While a recent article in the L.A. Times hinted at a completed screenplay adapted from Shūsaku Endō’s book “A Life Of Jesus,” the statements made in Berlin indicate that the project is still in its early developmental phase.
Scorsese shared that he plans to resume work on the Jesus film after the promotional activities and awards circuit for “Killers Of The Flower Moon” are concluded, hoping that a fresh perspective may emerge with time.
Reflecting on his background and upbringing in the Lower East Side, coupled with his fascination with Catholicism and the priesthood, Scorsese explained how these influences culminated in his film “Silence,” which explored Jesuit missionaries in Japan and led to interactions with the Pope.
Acknowledging the evolving landscape of cinema, Scorsese emphasized that rather than perishing, cinema is undergoing a transformation. He highlighted the importance of preserving the individual voice in storytelling across various platforms, from TikTok to lengthy film projects, while cautioning against becoming overly reliant on technology.
Tonight, the festival will honor Scorsese with a screening of his acclaimed 2006 film “The Departed,” featuring a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg.