Martin Scorsese Aims to Transform Perceptions of Religion with Upcoming Jesus Film

Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese, known for his ambitious projects, is embarking on a new venture that delves into the life of Jesus Christ. In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Scorsese revealed his intention to challenge preconceived notions of organized religion and present a fresh perspective through his upcoming film.

 

Scheduled to commence production later this year, Scorsese expressed his desire to make the film more relatable and alleviate the negative connotations associated with organized religion. "I’m trying to find a new way to make it more accessible and take away the negative onus of what has been associated with organized religion," he explained, emphasizing a return to the "initial impulse" behind the institution.

 

Acknowledging the skepticism surrounding the term 'religion,' Scorsese urged viewers not to dismiss it outright, recognizing its potential impact on one's life, even if that means rejecting it. He emphasized the need to reconsider the concept without the burden of past failures.

 

Variety reported that the project's inspiration struck Scorsese during a conference in Italy titled “The Global Aesthetics of the Catholic Imagination,” attended with his wife. The journey included a meeting with Pope Francis, prompting Scorsese to respond to the Pope's call to artists by conceiving and co-writing a screenplay for a film about Jesus.

 

Based on Shūsaku Endō’s book, "A Life of Jesus," the screenplay, co-written by Scorsese and Kent Jones, is now complete, with filming scheduled for later this year. Unlike Scorsese's typical film length, the movie is expected to run approximately 80 minutes and will primarily be set in the present day.

 

While this marks Scorsese's second film centered around Jesus Christ, following the controversial 1988 film "The Last Temptation of Christ," he aims to provide a fresh perspective, steering away from the conventional narrative. His previous work, "Silence" (2016), focused on the persecution of Christians in Japan.

 

As Scorsese gears up for the release of his upcoming project, "Killers of the Flower Moon," on Apple TV+ on January 12th, his commitment to redefining perceptions of religion in his Jesus film signifies a continued dedication to thought-provoking storytelling. Emma Carey brings you the latest on Scorsese's cinematic journey in her insightful post on Consequence.