New Documentary Reveals Martin Scorsese Battled Inner Demons,Found Salvation in Filmmaking & Therapy
NEW YORK,NY – October 4,2024 - A new five-part documentary,”Mr. Scorsese,” premiering Saturday at teh New York Film Festival, offers an intimate and revealing portrait of the acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, detailing his lifelong struggles with anger and depression, and crediting therapy with saving his life. The series, set for release on Apple on October 17, explores the complex duality at the heart of Scorsese’s work and persona, revealing how he channels internal turmoil into cinematic masterpieces.
The documentary unveils a pattern of intense anger,with those close to Scorsese describing his habit of waking up and repeatedly muttering “fuck it,fuck it,” without clarification. However, collaborators also note this anger fueled his dedication.As one interviewee states, it “gave him the stamina” to endure demanding film shoots. Scorsese himself confirms the pivotal role of therapy in his well-being, stating, “If it wasn’t for the doctor – five days a week, phone calls on the weekend, strong steady work on straightening my head out - I’d be dead.”
“Mr. Scorsese” doesn’t shy away from challenging moments in the director’s career, including a reported incident on the set of “Gangs of New York” where Scorsese threw a desk out of a window during a dispute with Harvey Weinstein. The series also features anecdotes about his unique directing style, such as instructing his mother to simply begin a scene with her first line and then improvise the remainder.
While the documentary covers meaningful ground,some fans may note the limited attention given to specific films – “Hugo” receives no dissection – and the exclusion of Scorsese’s television work,including “Boardwalk Empire,” ”Pretend It’s a City,” and “Vinyl.” Despite these omissions, the series is lauded for it’s entertainment value and insightful analysis, culminating in the observation that Scorsese “literally lives for filmmaking” even at personal cost.
The documentary concludes with a reflection on Scorsese’s self-described internal conflict, recalling a conversation with Gore Vidal where he stated, “There’s only one of two things you can be in my neighborhood.You can either be a priest or a gangster.” Vidal’s response, “And you became both,” encapsulates the director’s enduring legacy and the powerful, often contradictory forces that drive his art.
