Martin Scorsese is set to produce a documentary featuring an interview with Pope Francis, filmed in Vatican City last December, just months before the pope’s passing at 88.
Titled “Aldeas — A New Story,” the film focuses on a global cultural initiative by Scholas Occurrentes, an educational movement started by Francis in 2013, the same year he became pope. This project encourages communities worldwide to craft scripts for short films that express their identities, histories, and values.
The documentary will weave in parts of the dialogue between Scorsese and the pope, although a release date has not yet been announced.
In a statement on Wednesday, Scorsese emphasized that it was central to Francis’s vision for “people around the world to share ideas respectfully while maintaining their cultural identities, and he believed cinema was the ideal medium for this.” Francis regarded “Aldeas” as a poetic initiative, stating it explores the essence of human life.
This project highlights the longstanding connection between the pope and Scorsese, whose films often touch on religious themes. The release of “The Last Temptation of Christ” in 1988 sparked protests from various religious organizations.
In 2016, Scorsese had a meeting with Francis to talk about his film “Silence,” which depicts a Portuguese Jesuit priest’s journey to 17th-century Japan amid Christian persecution. They met again in 2023 when Scorsese announced another film about Jesus. His latest endeavor, “Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints,” dramatizes the lives of eight Catholic saints.
After Francis’s death, Scorsese expressed his gratitude for having known him, stating that the impact of his loss was profound.
“He was unwavering in his commitment to goodness,” Scorsese reflected. “He understood deeply that ignorance is a significant scourge on humanity. As such, he was constantly learning and enlightening others.”
